Qualitative Interviews About Antibiotics Decisions in Older Adults

Older adults are often prescribed antibiotics for bacteria in the urine without symptoms, called asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Antibiotics are not a recommended for treatment of ASB and can leads to adverse events and contributes to antibiotic resistance. The goal of this study is to exploring patients’ ages 65 and older and caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about treatment for UTI and ASB guidelines to improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing and support decisions for older adults with and without symptoms.

This project is led by Dr. Mary Politi with collaborations from Dr. Michael Durkin, Dr. Kevin Hseuh, and Lutheran Senior Services. 

This project is supported by the Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS).

Durkin, M., Schmitz, V., Hsueh, K., Troubh, Z., & Politi, M. (2023). Older adults’ and caregivers’ perceptions about urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria guidelines: A qualitative exploration. Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, 3(1), E224. doi:10.1017/ash.2023.498