LAUSR

Abstract Background Altered mental status (AMS) is the most common diagnosis among those 65 and older who present to the emergency department (ED). Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for 15.5% of hospitalizations in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of initiation of antibiotics in the ED in patients 65 years and older with mental status changes and asymptomatic bacteriuria or negative urine cultures. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate patients aged 65 and older from January 2017 through June 2018 who presented to the ED from home with AMS, a urinalysis that reflexed to culture, and were admitted to an internal medicine unit. The primary outcome was defined as the percentage of patients with AMS who received antibiotics in the ED with asymptomatic bacteriuria or negative urine cultures. Secondary outcomes included adherence to the CCHS UTI antibiotic guideline, incidence of early discontinuation of antibiotics, culture sensitivity to ordered antibiotic, and disposition after discharge. Results A total of 91 patients were included in this study. Seventy-five patients had asymptomatic bacteriuria and antibiotics were started in the ED in 63 (84%) of these patients. Fourteen patients had no growth on culture and seven of these patients (50%) had antibiotics initiated in the ED. Of those who received antibiotics (n = 82), there was 81.7% adherence to the Christiana Care UTI antibiotic selection guideline. Sensitivities were available for 41 isolates and 65.9% were sensitive to the initial antibiotic administered. Antibiotics were discontinued early in 29/82 (35.4%) of patients. Thirty-one patients (33.7%) were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Conclusion These results indicate that the majority of patients aged 65 and older who presented to the emergency department with altered mental status and no other UTI symptoms such as dysuria, urinary frequency, or urgency were treated with antibiotics. When antibiotics are initiated the majority of providers are adhering to organizational guidelines for antibiotic selection and duration. The results will be shared with Emergency Department and Internal Medicine leadership to foster practice change. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.