Reducing urinary tract infections in care homes by improving hydration.
Published version
Peer-reviewed
Repository URI
Repository DOI
Change log
Authors
Lean, Katie
Nawaz, Rasanat Fatima
Jawad, Sundus
Vincent, Charles
Abstract
Dehydration may increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can lead to confusion, falls, acute kidney injury and hospital admission. We aimed to reduce the number of UTIs in care home residents which require admission to hospital. The principal intervention was the introduction of seven structured drink rounds every day accompanied by staff training and raising awareness. UTIs requiring antibiotics reduced by 58% and UTIs requiring hospital admissions reduced by 36%, when averaged across the four care homes. Care home residents benefited from greater fluid intake, which in turn may have reduced infection. Structured drink rounds were a low-cost intervention for preventing UTIs and implemented easily by care staff.
Description
Keywords
antibiotic management, healthcare quality improvement, nurses, nursing homes, patient-centred care
Journal Title
BMJ Open Qual
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
2399-6641
2399-6641
2399-6641
Volume Title
8
Publisher
BMJ