Acute cystitis in women: experience with a telephone-based algorithm

This paper evaluates short-term (60-day) outcomes for women with symptoms of acute cystitis evaluated and treated with a telephone-based protocol.

We used a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients evaluated and treated according to a guideline-based algorithm for symptoms of acute cystitis.

The algorithm was utilized in the care of 273 women reporting symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI), with 75.4% being treated without urinalysis or cultures. Over the next 60 days, 46 (16.8%) were seen or made phone contact for recurrent or persistent urinary tract symptoms, with 6 patients (2.2%) diagnosed with pyelonephritis. No other adverse events were identified in the 60 days after use of the protocol.

A telephone-based nurse evaluation and treatment algorithm can allow for successful management of the majority of women identifying symptoms of uncomplicated lower UTIs.