Appropriateness of antibiotic use in nursing homes for suspected urinary tract infections: comparison across five European countries

Abstract

Aim: To estimate and compare the appropriateness of antibiotic use for suspected UTIs (Urinary tract infections) among nursing home residents across five European countries. Findings: The decision to start antibiotics for UTIs in residents without catheters was deemed to be highly inappropriate for almost half of the treatments. A first-line antibiotic was administered for UTIs in nursing home residents for less than half of the antibiotic treatments. Message: There is significant differences in antibiotic prescribing practices for suspected urinary tract infections in nursing homes across five European countries, and our findings indicate a substantial proportion of inappropriate antibiotic treatment.