2019 Public Health Wales: Improving UTI diagnosis by introducing a UTI triage and clean and catch MSU process
Results and Evidence
During the 6 months between March and July 2019, patients used the Peezy device to provide a urine sample for testing as part of the UTI triage process, a total of 41 patient samples were sent to the laboratory for culture and further investigation. We compared this to the same period in 2018, when Peezy was not being utilised, a total of 119 patient specimens were sent to the laboratory for the same period.
Between March and July 2019 using the Peezy as part of the UTI triage process delivered a 66% improvement from the same period in 2018.
Feedback provided by project lead Heather Crowley
Using the Peezy device in clinical practice has allowed us to completely transform how we approach caring for patients presenting with UTI symptoms. Care is now streamlined, avoiding the need for repeat samples and avoiding mixed growth culture results; meaning antibiotic prescriptions are far more appropriate. As a surgery it has allowed us to empower the non-clinical team to provide patients with clear and concise information at their first point of contact with the surgery. The advice given to patients is consistent due to the use of algorithms and scripts, and coupled with the Peezy device, has improved patient care dramatically. From a clinical perspective we have seen the number of prescriptions for antibiotics reduce as well as the number of mixed growth culture results; we are able to get the best outcomes for our patients in the quickest and safest manner.