Asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) is a condition in which bacteria are detected in urine culture without urinary symptoms. The inappropriate use of antibiotic treatment for AB selects bacterial flora to express resistance mutations. Reducing inappropriate antibiotic use for AB is difficult, since the microbiology laboratory cannot distinguish patients with AB. The investigators study will use a restricted laboratory report requesting the physician to call the laboratory for culture results. The restricted report may reduce the rate of inappropriate treatment of AB.
Positive urine cultures during the study period will be randomized to restricted microbiology laboratory reporting or standard microbiology laboratory reporting. Physician or patient consent will not be collected. Patient records will be assessed by the investigator to determine if patients have AB or urinary tract infection. Physician antibiotic treatment decision in both groups will be collected.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
110
An abbreviated version of the microbiology report indicating that growth is present and the physician should call the lab for further details if clinically important
Health Sciences Center
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
The Number of Patients Receiving Appropriate Treatment
Sum of urinary tract infection treated and asymptomatic bacteriuria not treated
Time frame: 72 hours from positive culture
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