Optimizing Inpatient Urine Culture Ordering Practices Using the Electronic Medical Record: A Pilot Study
Daniel Shirley1, Harry Scholtz1, Kurt Osterby2
11Division of Infectious Disease,Department of Medicine,University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health,Madison,Wisconsin.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|December 28, 2016
Summary
An electronic medical record intervention reduced unnecessary urine cultures in catheterized patients. This approach can help prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant healthcare concern.
- Inappropriate urine culture ordering contributes to antimicrobial resistance and healthcare costs.
- Electronic medical record (EMR) systems offer opportunities for clinical decision support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of an EMR-anchored educational intervention on urine culture ordering practices for catheterized patients.
- To assess the intervention's effectiveness in reducing the number of urine cultures ordered for this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, quasi-experimental, before-and-after study design was employed.
- An intervention involving embedded education on appropriate urine culture indications was implemented within an EMR system.
- Data on urine culture orders for catheterized patients were collected before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- The intervention led to a significant reduction in the number of urine cultures ordered for catheterized patients.
- The study demonstrated the feasibility of using EMR-embedded education to modify clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- EMR-anchored educational interventions are effective in optimizing urine culture ordering.
- This intervention can be a valuable component of strategies aimed at reducing CAUTIs and combating antimicrobial resistance.
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