| Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly suspected in residents in LTC facilities. It is still a common practice to prescribe antibiotics even when residents are asymptomatic. This approach, however, often does more harm than good, leading to increased rates of adverse drug effects and more recurrent infections with drug-resistant bacteria; thus, distinguishing UTIs from asymptomatic bacteriuria is imperative in the LTC setting. The purpose of this study was to explore the features of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in older adults living in the LTCFs and to seek diagnostic tools to discriminate between asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). In addition, this study explored the perceptions, attitudes and opinions of physicians and nurses involved in the process of prescribing antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria in institutionalized elderly population. |
