Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Document Type

Major Paper

School

School of Nursing

Department

Nursing

Date of Original Version

5-2017

Abstract

Uncomplicated cystitis is a common condition that many women encounter in their lifetimes. The subjective symptoms that patients provide to their clinician are a critical component in the providers’ diagnosis. Traditionally, uncomplicated cystitis is diagnosed and treated during a face-to-face consultation in primary care offices, urgent care centers and emergency departments. Quite often, clinicians treat their patients based upon their initial presenting symptoms, regardless of the point of care testing and before urine culture results are available. The purpose of this project was to determine how often subjective symptoms of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with treatment sensitive to subsequent urine cultures. A comprehensive literature review was performed. The ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation was utilized to guide the research process. Data collection took place at Concentra Urgent Care in Warwick, RI after agency approval and IRB review. Eighty-four medical records of premenopausal (ages 18-45) non-pregnant females treated for UTI between January 1, 2016 and July 1, 2016 were reviewed during a retrospective chart review. Thirty-seven participants met the inclusion criteria for uncomplicated cystitis and presented with subjective symptoms of dysuria, urinary frequency and urinary urgency. Findings were consistent with research performed by Barry et al. (2001) and Hooton (2012). Barry et al. concluded that 64% of patients were appropriately treated remotely based upon subjective symptoms. Hooton also concluded that 90% of patients could be treated with appropriate antibiotics based upon their subjective symptoms. This research validated that 85.29% of patients could have been treated appropriately based solely on their subjective symptoms of uncomplicated cystitis. Recommendations and implications for advanced practice nursing are discussed.

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS