Rapid Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis and Real-time Antimicrobial Stewardship Decision Support

This interventional study in two centers compares two groups with each other and with a pre-intervention control group. In group 1 rapid techniques for handling urine cultures will be the only intervention. In group 2 rapid diagnostics will be supplemented with real-time antimicrobial stewardship decision support (RADS). In each center two departments will be involved.

Urine samples present at the laboratory at opening on weekdays will be screened using urine flow cytometry and microscopy of centrifuged gram stained urine. Samples found positive for significant mono microbial bacteriuria will be investigated further by using direct automated phenotypic identification and antimicrobial susceptibility determination and screened for inclusion in the interventional study.

In one of the centers, rapid techniques will be coupled to real-time antimicrobial stewardship decision support (RADS). RADS will be given by telephone to a designated clinician with the aim of:

• Switch to active treatment if non-working empirical treatment
• De-escalate broad spectrum empiric treatment when feasible
• Promote early intravenous to per oral switch
• Shorten treatment duration

Inclusion criteria

• Urine sample present at the laboratory weekdays
• At least 11 ml of urine in sample
• Admitted to surgical or medical ward.
• Urine sample taken on admission to hospital.
• Rapid diagnostics suggesting mono microbial growth of > 100.000 microbes/ml urine.
• Clinical and laboratory signs/symptoms of urinary tract infection at time of sample delivery.

Exclusion criteria

• Other simultaneous infections that warrant systemic antimicrobial therapy or surgery.