Urine cultures among hospitalized veterans: casting too broad a net?
Since detection of asymptomatic bacteriuria among inpatients often leads to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment, we studied why urine cultures were ordered and correlates of treatment. Most cultures were obtained from patients without urinary complaints and a minority from asymptomatic patients. High-count bacteriuria, not clinical manifestations, appeared to trigger most antimicrobial use.
Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dimitri M
DM
Drekonja
Christina
C
Gnadt
Michael A
MA
Kuskowski
James R
JR
Johnson
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014556:Urine / Q000382:microbiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents