Is unreliable point-of-care urine collection putting women on the front line of antimicrobial resistance?

Unreliability of female urine specimens leads to unnecessary prescribing, calling for a protocol for midstream urine collection.
Why is urine not treated like blood? Female urinary tract, bladder or kidney infections are commonly diagnosed using a urine sample, recommended to be midstream because the first void can be contaminated by bacteria, flora and debris from the skin. Guideline collection is challenging for clinicians to explain and women to perform.

Up to 30% contamination creates false-positive dips and empirical broad spectrum prescribing – or failed lab analysis due to mixed growth. Diagnosing UTI early is challenging when urine collection is left to chance and patient intervention. Women do not need antibiotic over prescribing – they need reliable specimen collection.

What you will learn

• We will present shocking stats and data around already resistant UTI bacteria, and ask why broad-spectrum antibiotics are still being prescribed so heavily.
• Pharmacy First will prescribe based on two verbal symptoms alone, with no diagnostic test to guide targeted medication.

Of interest to
All those involved in women’s health, diagnostics, AMR, primary care, labs, and maternity.