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Why Are We Frequently Ordering Urinalyses in Patients without Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in the Emergency Department?

Authors :
Tessa M. Z. X. K. van Horrik
Bart J. Laan
Allard B. Huizinga
Gercora Hoitinga
Walter P. Poortvliet
Suzanne E. Geerlings
Internal medicine
Graduate School
Infectious diseases
AII - Infectious diseases
APH - Quality of Care
Source :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 17; Pages: 10757, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17):10757. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), van Horrik, T M Z X K, Laan, B J, Huizinga, A B, Hoitinga, G, Poortvliet, W P & Geerlings, S E 2022, ' Why Are We Frequently Ordering Urinalyses in Patients without Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in the Emergency Department? ', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 19, no. 17, 10757 . https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710757, International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(17):10757. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

(1) Background: In the emergency department (ED), ordering urine tests in patients without symptoms of a urinary tract infection can lead to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment. We aimed to identify factors contributing to the unnecessary ordering of urinalyses in the ED. (2) Methods: An online survey study among nurses and physicians working in the EDs of five hospitals in the Netherlands was conducted. (3) Results: The overall response rate was 26% (221/850; 85 nurses and 136 physicians). The vast majority of the respondents reported knowing when to order urine tests (197/221; 90%). Almost two-thirds of the respondents (145/221; 66%) agreed that they ordered urinalyses because it is rapid and non-invasive to patients. Most nurses (66/86; 78%) said they informed the doctor if they thought the urine test would not contribute to the patient’s diagnosis, but only one-third of the physicians agreed with this statement (44/136; 32%). Most respondents (160/221; 72%) thought guidelines or protocols about urinalyses in the ED would be functional. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest urinalyses were frequently ordered in the ED to achieve a fast work process. Nurses and physicians could improve their communication about the indications for urine tests. Developing diagnostic guidelines for urine testing may be convenient.

Details

ISSN :
16604601 and 16617827
Volume :
19
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....63c3bd06f570f8bc9efcf94bbb5f50c5
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710757