UTI in females
In this article 
Background
Approximately 50% of all females will have a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. Most females with UTI will
have an uncomplicated infection that does not require urine culture. Avoiding unnecessary urine testing can reduce the
burden on laboratories and decrease costs without compromising care.
Uncomplicated UTI
An uncomplicated UTI is any UTI occurring in an adult female who is not pregnant and has a normal genitourinary tract
and a routine presentation (Table 1). For females with uncomplicated UTI appropriate management is
empirical treatment with trimethoprim, 300 mg, once daily, for three days, with follow up if symptoms persist or recur.
Urine culture* is not necessary for females with uncomplicated lower UTI as it does not improve outcomes
* Sentinel urine cultures may be appropriate in some circumstances, however, the local laboratory will
usually indicate this.
Complicated UTI
A complicated UTI is any UTI occurring in a female who does not have classic UTI symptoms or who is known to have a genitourinary
tract abnormality. UTIs in males or in children are also regarded as complicated (Table 1). A urine culture is indicated
for people with a complicated UTI. The request for urine culture should not delay the initiation of empirical antibiotic
therapy. The results of the culture may help to confirm the choice of antibiotic, or indicate that a change of antibiotic
is required
Audit Plan
Summary
This audit focuses on females aged between 15 – 55 years. When a female within this age group presents with symptoms
of UTI such as dysuria, frequency, urgency or suprapubic pain with no other complicating factors, an uncomplicated UTI
is likely. In this group, empirical antibiotic treatment is indicated and there is no indication for urine culture. If
a female had features that indicate the UTI may be complicated, urine culture is appropriate.
Criteria for a positive outcome
A positive result is any female aged 15 – 55 years, who:
- Did not have a urine culture requested, and had an uncomplicated UTI, OR;
- Had a urine culture requested, and had a complicated UTI
Recommended audit standards
A recommended audit standard for this audit is for 80% of females aged 15 – 55 years who have had a UTI in the previous
twelve months to have either had no urine culture requested, or if a urine culture was requested, had an indication
recorded in their notes that justifies the test. Ideally, there should be an improvement in audit standards bewteen
cycles one and two.
Table 1: The features of an uncomplicated and complicated UTI
| Uncomplicated |
Complicated |
- Dysuria
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Suprapubic pain
|
- UTI in:
- Women who are pregnant
- Males
- Children
- Suspected pyelonephritis
- Recurrent UTIs
- Failed antibiotic treatment or persistence despite treatment
- People with renal impairment
- Patients with a catheter
- People with abnormalities of the genitourinary tract
|
For further information see: “Antibiotics
Guide: Choices for common infections”, BPJ Supplement (Jul, 2013)
Data
Eligible people
Any female enrolled in the practice aged 15 – 55 years who received a prescription for trimethoprim in the previous twelve
months is eligible for this audit.
N.B. If a sentinel urine culture has been requested by the local laboratory for females with uncomplicated UTI, exclude
these patients from the audit.
Identifying patients
You will need to have a system in place that allows you to identify these eligible patients. Many practices will be able
to identify patients by running a ‘query’ through their PMS system. Identify all female patients aged 15 – 55 years who
have received a prescription for trimethroprim in the previous twelve months.
Trimethroprim is being used as a proxy measure for UTI in a female, as not all practices will code every case of UTI
with a Read code in the clinical records. Some patients may be missed, but searching for trimethoprim should identify the
majority of females with a UTI seen in primary care.
Sample size
The number of eligible patients will vary according to your practice demographic. If you identify a large number of patients,
take a random sample of 20-30 patients whose notes you will audit (or the first 20-30 results returned).
Data analysis
Use the data sheet to record your data.
A positive result is any patient who has a either a “Yes” in column A and a “Yes” in column B or a “No” in column A
and a “No” in Column B. Any patient who does not have two “Yes” or two “No” answers recorded is a negative result.
Calculate your percentage achievement by adding up the number of positive results (those with a tick in column C) and
dividing this number by the total number of patients audited.
Identifying opportunities for CQI
Taking action
The first step to improving medical practice is to identify the criteria where gaps exist between expected and actual
performance and then to decide how to change practice.
Decide on a set of priorities for change and develop an action plan to implement any changes.
It may be useful to consider the following points when developing a plan for action.
Problem solving process
- What is the problem or underlying problem(s).
- Change it to an aim.
- What are the solutions or options?
- What are the barriers?
- How can you overcome them?
Overcoming barriers
- What is achievable – find out what the external pressures on the practice are and discuss ways of dealing with them
in the practice setting.
- Identify the barriers.
- Develop a priority list.
- Choose one or two achievable goals.
Effective interventions
- No single strategy or intervention is more effective than another, and sometimes a variety of methods are needed to
bring about lasting change.
- Interventions should be directed at existing barriers or problems, knowledge, skills and attitudes, as well as performance
and behavior.
Review
Monitoring change and progress
It is important to review the action plan against the timeline at regular intervals with the practice team. It may be
helpful to discuss the following questions:
- Is the process working?
- Are the goals for improvement being achieved?
- Are the goals still appropriate?
- Do you need to develop new tools to achieve the goals you have set?
Following the completion of the first cycle, it is recommended that practices complete the first part of the
CQI
activity summary sheet.
Undertaking a second cycle
In addition to regular reviews of progress with the practice team, a second audit cycle should be completed in order
to quantify progress on closing the gaps in performance.
It is recommended that the second cycle be completed within 12 months of completing the first cycle. The second cycle
should begin at the data collection stage. Following the completion of the second cycle it is recommended practices complete
the remainder of the CQI activity summary sheet.
Claiming MOPS credits
This audit has been endorsed by the RNZCGP as an Audit of Medical Practice activity (previously known as Continuous
Quality Improvement - CQI) for allocation of MOPS credits; 10 credits for
a first cycle and 10 credits for a second cycle. General practitioners taking part in this audit can
claim credits in accordance with the current MOPS programme.
To claim points go to the RNZCGP website: www.rnzcgp.org.nz
Record your completion of the audit on the MOPS Online credit summary, under the
Audit of Medical Practice section.
From the drop down menu, select the audit from the list or select “Approved practice/PHO audit” and record the audit name in “Notes”, the audit date and 10 credits.
General practitioners are encouraged to discuss the outcomes of the audit with their peer group or practice.
As the RNZCGP frequently audit claims you should retain the following documentation, in order to provide adequate evidence of participation in this audit:
- A summary of the data collected
- An Audit of Medical Practice (CQI) Activity summary sheet (included as Appendix 1).