D. Mcleod et M. Kljakovic, WHAT DO GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS DO WHEN PATIENTS PRESENT WITH SYMPTOMS INDICATIVE OF URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS, New Zealand medical journal, 111(1066), 1998, pp. 189-191
Aim. The primary aim of the study was to examine whether the results o
f laboratory investigations of midstream urine samples from patients w
ith suspected urinary tract infection influenced management by general
practitioners. Method. Eleven general practitioners in the Network pa
rticipated in the study by recording treatment and outcomes for consec
utive patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection. Results. Data
from 216 patients were included in the study. Dipsticks were used to
test the urine of 98 patients (45%) and midstream urine samples were s
ent to the laboratory for 176 patients (82%). Antibiotics were prescri
bed for 176 patients (82%). Antibiotics were prescribed for 95% of pat
ients with symptoms of dysuria, frequency and urgency. Where the labor
atory results showed infection there was no change in treatment after
the general practitioners received the results for 75 patients (85%).
Among those patients where the laboratory reported no infection there
was no change in treatment after the general practitioner received the
results for 53 patients (87%). Conclusion. The results of laboratory
investigation of midstream urine samples did not change the treatment
provided for the majority of patients in the study.