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RACS ASC 2024

Comprehensive audit of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infection management at Eastern Health

Poster

Poster

Disciplines

Global Health

Presentation Description

Institution: Eastern Health Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - Victoria, Australia

Managing recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) poses challenges. Prophylactic antibiotics were common, whilst alternative strategies including lifestyle modifications, D-mannose, and Methenamine Hippurate have emerged. There are no guidelines for rUTI management in Australia, however, overuse of antibiotics fosters resistance. We assessed practices within Eastern Health. We audited adult female patients referred for rUTIs (March-May 2023). We classified them as being uncomplicated if they had no significant medical co-morbidities, radiological abnormality, prior pelvic surgery, or radiation. Collected data included symptoms, investigations, and treatments at time of referral as well as subsequent interventions following clinic review. Of 675 referrals, 65 adult females had rUTIs; of which 25 met uncomplicated rUTI (UrUTI) criteria. UrUTI patients were younger (median 37 vs 60 yrs) and more often referred by GPs (80% vs 20%) than complicated cases. Wait times did not differ significantly. Among UrUTI cases, 36% had been seen in Urology clinic, while the rest remained on waiting lists. Only 60% of referrals confirmed rUTI rates with full culture reports for each episode. 68% were only receiving courses of antibiotics with each episode whilst 24% were also receiving non-antibiotic alternatives. 8% were on prophylactic antibiotics whilst none had trialled topical estrogen. Following review in the Urology clinic, 56% received non-antibiotic alternatives, and 44% were discharged. The triaging system does not consider rUTI complexity or referral source. Antibiotics dominated initial treatment. The limited use of non-antibiotic alternatives upon referral highlights the need for exploring alternative community-based management.

Speakers

Authors

Authors

Dr Paul Rival - , Dr Abram Botros - , Dr Ruth Snider - , Dr Caroline Dowling - , Dr Shomik Sengupta -