1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in The Elderly
“To Dip or Not To Dip?”
Improving the quality of UTI care by working together across Hertfordshire

2. UTI Background The reason for 1–3% of all GP consultations
About one in three women will have at least one UTI by 24 years of age
About 1 in 2 women will be treated for a symptomatic UTI during their lifetime
The annual incidence of UTI in women increases with age
Escherichia coli account for about 80% of UTIs

3. What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
New or worse confusion
Burning
Frequent urination
Fever or shivering
Tummy or back pain
Bacteria in the urine can be normal in older people

4. Bacteria in the urine of older people
Bacteria harmlessly live in the bladder of an older person:
100%
40%
What effect does this have on the urine dipstick?
50%

5. Using dipsticks What does the Test strip test for?
The presence of Bacteria NOT the whether the bacteria are causing an infection.
CANNOT prove UTI

6. Antibiotics are powerful drugs Antibiotics are precious drugs
No dipstick for UTI ?
A positive dipstick is more likely to lead to treatment WHICH MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE
Antibiotics are powerful drugs
Antibiotics are precious drugs
Giving an older person antibiotics when they don’t really need them can lead to:
Side-effects such as rashes & stomach upsets
C.diff diarrhoea which can be life-threatening
Antibiotic resistance so antibiotics won’t work when the person really does need them
1 in 3 older people will suffer side-effects from antibiotics if given them when they don’t need them

7. Often antibiotics are then prescribed inappropriately
No dipstick – really??
50%
40%
100%
Urine dipstick will be positive for bacteria But doesn’t tell us if it is an infection or not!
Often antibiotics are then prescribed inappropriately

8. What is best practice for UTI?
National Guidelines:
“People >65 years should have a clinical assessment before being diagnosed with UTI” (NICE)
“Do not use urine dipstick testing in the diagnosis of older people with possible UTI” (SIGN)
“Do not use dipstick testing to diagnose UTI in adults with urinary catheters” (NICE)

9. Reduction in antibiotic prescribing for UTI in 8 NH over two 6 month periods

10. Prevention is better than cure!
Prevent dehydration = prevent UTIs
Forget to drink
Why?
Longer periods sitting down
Continence problems
Warm environment
Sense of thirst lessens with age
Effects?
Puts strain on kidneys
Bacteria not flushed out of bladder regularly
Makes it harder for body to fight infection
Causes constipation
Increase risk of UTI

11. Staying hydrated
Some residents may need further support to stay hydrated. For example:
Choose a cup suitable for the resident – they may prefer to use a straw
Support and encouragement to maintain fluid intake throughout the day
It could be as simple as set drink routines rather than relying on thirst alone
Jelly and other food rich in fluid can be offered to increase fluid intake if the resident doesn’t want to drink
Encourage fluids when giving care at night

12. Prevention is better than cure!
Ensure residents are drinking 1.5 – 2 litres of fluids per day*
*Some residents may have been advised to restrict fluid intake if they have a heart or kidney condition. Discuss with GP or Matron if unsure.

13. Spotting dehydration
This urine colour chart will give you an idea of whether a resident is drinking enough. Good means they are drinking enough and dehydrated means the body has lost water and they may need to drink more to make up for the loss.
This chart could be useful although not always a reliable tool in older people because certain conditions and medications may affect urine colour

14. Signs of dehydration Thirst Dark urine Sunken eyes Irritability
Confusion
Cool hands or feet
Low blood pressure
Raised heart rate
Headaches
If a person has AKI they may pass less urine than usual, or pass no urine at all

16. Training Video
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How will this work in your Care Home?

17. This is a Herts-wide initiative Success elsewhere
Across the UK, ‘To Dip Or Not To Dip’ is taking off!
The first ‘To Dip Or Not To Dip’ project was in South-West England:
Reduced antibiotic use in Care Home residents by over 60%
Reduced emergency admissions for UTI and dehydration by 50%
Your help and feedback is vital!

18. Summary Training for GP practice staff complete
Training for Care Home staff taking place across October 2017
Specially designed resources available on CCG website:
( homes) – one laminated set of posters will be sent to all Care Homes via post*
All Homes and GP staff to use forms from October 30th 2017
Follow-up webinars towards the end of the year
This is a culture change – What are the pitfalls? Are you concerned about not dipping?
Dipsticks needed for other diagnosis e.g. diabetes
Post-launch survey and audit
*Care Homes can print more posters using the source documents on the CCG website if required

19. Next Steps for Attendees
Disseminate training to all carers
Work with your aligned GP practice to agree form process
Support culture change within your home (and within your aligned GP practice)
Attend follow-up webinars (dates to be confirmed)
Request further training (see next slide)
Report any ‘road blocks’ to the CCG (see next slide)

20. Key Contacts All queries and training requests:
(Senior Pharmaceutical Adviser, Pharmacy & Medicines Management, East and North Hertfordshire CCG)
(Project Manager, East and North Hertfordshire CCG)
*Supporting resources, key contact details, etc. will be disseminated after this seminar