Urinary Tract Infections - to Dip or Not to Dip?

Patients presenting with the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) are frequently encountered by our frontline clinicians across a range of different settings. Ensuring they receive the most effective treatment starts with thorough, patient-centred clinical assessment.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently released updated guidance covering the assessment and management of men, women, children, young adults, and those with urinary catheters suspected of having a UTI (see links below). 

Did you know:

• That dipsticks are no longer recommended for routine use in most patient groups? This is particularly relevant to those over 65 years of age, with an emphasis on signs, symptoms, clinical judgement, and the results of urine cultures being used instead to aid diagnosis and inform clinical management plans.

• That antibiotics aren't always needed

• That there is no evidence to support the use of cranberry products in the treatment of UTI

If you suspect that your patient has a UTI and that they're potentially safe to be treated in the community, please have a clinical discussion with an appropriate local Primary Care provider or EEAST Specialist or Advanced Paramedic (Urgent Care) colleague.

For evidence-based guidance and learning please refer to the resources below:

Men:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/urinary-tract-infection-lower-men/diagnosis/diagnosing-a-urinary-tract-infection/

Women:

Urinary tract infection (lower) - women | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE

Children:

Urinary tract infection - children | Health topics A to Z | CKS | NICE

NICE Quality Standard - Urinary Tract Infections:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs90/chapter/Quality-statement

Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) TARGET Toolkit:

Urinary tract infection resource suite: Patient facing materials (rcgp.org.uk)

Published 26th April 2023