1108. Impact of Implementing a Urine Culture Order Set on Antibiotic Utilization and Rates of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in an Urban Academic Medical Center

Abstract

BackgroundOverutilization of urine cultures may lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics. We implemented a computerized urine culture order set where urine specimens are not processed for culture unless there is evidence of pyuria (≥10 WBC per high power field) on urinalysis (UA), or if a patient is pregnant, neutropenic, neonate, renal transplant recipient, planned for or had a recent urologic procedure. Here we evaluated the impact of this order set on antibiotic utilization, urine culture volumes and rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI).MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review before and after the order set implementation (August–December 2017 and 2018, respectively). The analysis had two distinct components: first was at institution-level, where data for all adult and pediatric inpatients were compared for urine culture volumes and antibiotic use regardless of indication. The second component was done at patient-level, where we compared clinical data and days of therapy (DOT) for all adult inpatients who had urine cultures without pyuria in the specified pre-intervention period, and those with canceled urine cultures due to absence of pyuria post-intervention.ResultsAt the institution-level analysis, a statistically significant reduction was observed in rates of urine cultures performed (P = 0.02), as well as use of penicillins, carbapenems and Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (P < 0.05). However, the use of cephalosporins has increased post-intervention (P < 0.001). No significant change was noted for aminoglycosides or fluoroquinolones.At the patient-level analysis, DOT means in patients with negative pyuria did not change significantly (5.16 pre-intervention, 6.54 post-intervention, P = 0.202). Prevalence of treatment for bacteriuria despite absence of pyuria was 5.3% (20/380) pre-intervention, vs. 1.9% (1/53) post-intervention (P = 0.494). In the pre-intervention period, three cases met the criteria for CAUTI despite negative pyuria. This misdiagnosis could have been avoided by implementation of the urine culture order set.ConclusionImplementation of a urine culture order set in our institution led to a statistically significant reduction in rates of urine cultures performed, as well as use of penicillins, carbapenems and TMP-SMX. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.