Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the commonest infections seen in primary and secondary care and consequently are often treated with antibiotics. However, recently there has been an increasing amount of evidence highlighting the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics commonly used to treat UTI. This makes diagnosis and treatment even more critical. Diagnosis of a UTI can be difficult, especially in elderly patients, and poses many challenges for nurses, including those working in the community, particularly in nursing and residential homes. This article examines the adoption of a chemical indicator dipstick test. This demonstrated good correlation with urine culture results and was seen as a useful additional tool to assist in the diagnosis of UTI, especially in those patients where urine samples may be more difficult to capture.
Community nurses’ caseloads may include a large number of catheterised patients and catheter-related infection is a significant problem, with up to 90–100% of those who are catheterised long-term going on to develop a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). For community nurses, ensuring that their skin and that of the patient has been cleansed before any catheter-related intervention is paramount. This article looks at the use of a new antimicrobial cleansing solution (octenilin®; Schülke) and whether its properties reduced the infection risk associated with catheterisation in the community.
Tim Sandle, Head of Microbiology, Bio Products Laboratory Limited, Watford
Urinary tract infections are often seen in community settings and can be debilitating for patients, involving dysuria (painful urination), increased urinary frequency and urgency, suprapubic pain, haematuria (blood in the urine), and polyuria (excessive urine production). This article takes an in-depth look at these symptoms, as well as the diagnosis and management of this common problem, which mostly affects female patients.
Chetan Shah, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice/Public Health, University of Hertfordshire
Stephen Goundrey-Smith, Consultant Pharmacist, PDC Healthcare Ltd, Leicestershire
Suzanne Clarke discusses the use of silver in modern wound management programmes.
Suzanne Clarke RGN, Dip Nursing is a Community Nurse with Dudley Priority NHS Community Trust, Midlands.
Article accepted for publication July 2002.
