Ms Monina Hernandez1,3, Professor Ana Hutchinson1,2,3, Dr Monica Schoch1, Associate Professor Stéphane Bouchoucha1,3
1Deakin University, Burwood, Australia, 2Deakin Centre for Quality and Patient Safety – Epworth HealthCare Partnership, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia, 3Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control, Hobart, Australia
Biography:
Monina Hernandez is an IPC consultant with 30+ years’ nursing experience in academic, governance, and clinical roles across aged care, primary, secondary and tertiary hospital settings in the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia. She is Regional IPC Manager at TLC Healthcare and is pursuing PhD in Nursing at Deakin University.
Abstract:
Introduction
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a leading healthcare-associated infection in Australian residential aged care homes (RACH), accounting for 29.8% of infections and 28.6% of hospital transfers highlighting the critical importance of examining strategies for UTI management within RACH.
Methods
A scoping review with a PROSPERO registered protocol was undertaken to map existing literature. Databases searched included Medline, CINAHL, and Embase with citation tracking in Scopus, Web of Science, and reference screening for studies from 2013 onwards. Two researchers independently screened studies, resolving disagreements through discussion or a third reviewer, with final inclusion decided by the team. Reporting followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Results
The electronic search yielded 1,774 articles. After removing duplicates, 1,041 articles were screened and 74 articles included. These articles were categorised according to primary outcomes: UTI prevalence rates n=42, health worker knowledge n=17, UTI management practices n=50, antimicrobial stewardship n=42, and two addressed resident practices. Reported UTI prevalence rates ranged from 1-2.9%, one study reported an incidence density of 3.6 cases/100 people per month. Reported antimicrobial use ranged from 8.9% – 32% reflecting high use of prophylactic antimicrobials.
Conclusion
Gaps related to person-centred care, use of behaviour change interventions to improve health worker practice and comprehensive quality improvement initiatives to manage UTI in RACH were identified. Further research is warranted to inform evidence-based interventions and improve outcomes.