Title of the publicationReduction in inappropriate prevention of urinary tract infections in long-term care facilities
Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common diagnosis made in prescribing antimicrobials in long-term care facilities (LTCF). The diagnostic criteria for UTI vary among institutions and prescribers. Our aim was to reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in LTCFs.
Methods: A team comprising infectious disease consultant, infection control nurse, and geriatrician visited all LTCFs for older persons (2,321 patients in 25 primary care hospitals and 39 nursing homes and dementia units) in the Central Finland Healthcare District (population 267,000) during 2004-2005. The site visits consisted of a structured interview concerning patients, ongoing systematic antimicrobials, and diagnostic practices for UTI. Following the visits, regional guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials in LTCFs were published, and the use of antimicrobials was followed up by an annual questionnaire.
Results: The proportions of patients receiving antimicrobials in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 were 19.9%, 16.9%, 16.2%, and 15.4%, respectively. Most of the antibiotics were used for UTI (range by year, 66.6%- 81.1%). From 2005 through 2008, the proportion of patients on antibiotic prophylaxis for UTI decreased from 13% to 6%. The decrease was statistically significant in both types of settings.
Conclusion: The visits and guidelines were associated with a reduction in the usage of antimicrobials. To sustain this, UTI surveillance and close collaboration between infection controlexperts and LTCFs are crucial.

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2011.09.013
Name of the first authorRummukainen, Maija-Liisa
Year of publication2012
Study design of the publicationCohort study
Method for data collection and analysis
  • Mixed
Mixed
Scientific references about the intervention or other assessment of the intervention

rummukainen et al 2009 promoting hand hygiene and prudent use of AM in long term care facilities, Am. J Infect Control, 37, 168-71

Other references about the intervention or other assessment of the intervention

Finlex, legislative data bank (in finnish) about the communicable disease law
rummukainen et al. 2006 recommendations for AMU in long term care in central finland healthcare district (in finnish). Finnish Med J, 100, 556-9

Sector
  • Human - All activities regarding organisations and individuals involved in health products and services
Sub-sectorSub-sectors are further units of demarcation within a sector E.g. awareness campaign from veterinarians to cat owners about toxoplasmosis drug resistance and transmission of resistant bacteria: ANIMAL, PETS
Subsector (human)
  • Healthcare delivery
Healthcare delivery