Evaluation of urinalyses ordered for diagnosis of urinary tract infections at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

OBJECTIVE

A retrospective study was conducted to assess the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) using urinalyses (UA)s at a psychiatric hospital.

METHOD

Patients admitted between July 2010 and June 2011 receiving at least one UA during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization were included. Pregnant patients and those with a UA receiving antibiotic treatment in the emergency department were excluded. The primary objective of the study was to characterize and assess the appropriateness of UAs ordered for the diagnosis of UTIs. Secondary objectives included analyzing frequency of cultures obtained, appropriateness of empiric antibiotics, and de-escalation of therapy if warranted.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent (n = 891/2292) of patients admitted received a UA at least once during their hospitalization. Of 203 patients further evaluated, 78% were asymptomatic, 11% were older than 65 years of age with altered mental status (AMS) or dementia, and 11% had typical UTI symptoms. Thirty-one patients were given antibiotics for a UTI during their stay, with a majority of those being asymptomatic (n = 19/31).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of UAs ordered at a psychiatric hospital were inappropriate. When patients were treated, empiric antibiotic selection and length of treatment were appropriate in most instances.