Nursing Staff's Role in Detecting Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes: An Integrative Review.

Despite evidence-based protocols, inappropriate antibiotic use still presents a systemic global threat to health care in nursing homes (NHs). Nursing staff are responsible for recognizing signs and symptoms that may indicate urinary tract infections (UTIs). The current integrative review was designed to examine the state of the literature related to the role of nursing staff in UTI identification and care in NHs. This review, which includes 19 articles published between 2011 and 2020, identified that, although prescribers are the experts in UTI management, nursing staff in NHs were the individuals who recognized changes and communicated residents' needs to prescribers. Further research is required to understand nursing staff's decision making and unique perspectives and determine if evidence-based protocols align with current practice in the NH setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]