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Kuper Kristi

Description

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB) is defined as the presence of bacteria in the urine of a patient without signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). It is one of the most common reasons for inappropriate antibiotic use in hospitalized patients. Without efforts to check inappropriate use, our communities could see increased numbers of highly resistant bacterial pathogens contributing to the public health threat of antimicrobial resistance. Treatment itself may be associated with subsequent antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug effects, and cost. The Houston Health Department (HHD) has made it a priority to address antibiotic resistance and stewardship by working collaboratively with members of the healthcare community to address this patient safety issue. As such HHD, in conjunction with infectious diseases experts from the HHD Antimicrobial Stewardship Executive Committee formed a joint learning collaborative to work on an asymptomatic bacteriuria stewardship project. The goal of the project was to engage with healthcare professionals across facilities within the Houston area to work collaboratively to help reduce unnecessary testing and treatment of ASB.

Objective: 1) To describe findings from the joint collaborative between the Houston Health Department and Houston-based hospitals 2) To promote cross sectional partnerships and collaborations across health agencies.

Submitted by elamb on