Key Points
2
Definitions of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
➤ Urinary tract infection (UTI) refers to an infection anywhere in the
genitourinary tract.
• Cystitis: urinary symptoms are usually confined to the bladder/lower urinary
tract.
• Pyelonephritis: More severe infection involving the renal parenchyma/upper
urinary tract.
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI): UTIs that develop in
individuals with an indwelling urinary catheter.
➤ Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) refers to the presence of bacteria
(in quantitative counts ≥10
5
cfu/mL) in an individual without signs or
symptoms of infection that localize to the urinary tract. Individuals
with ASB will have a positive urine culture with or without pyuria,
defined as white blood cells on urinalyses.
Abbreviations:
AHRQ, The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; AMDA, e Society for
Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine; ASB, asymptomatic bacteriuria; CAUTI,
catheter-associated urinary tract infection; CDC, Centers for Disease Control; CFU,
colony-forming unit; CMS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; eCrCl, estimated
creatinine clearance; IOU, Improving Outcomes of UTI Management in Long-Term
Care Project; NP, nurse practitioner; PA, physician's assistant; PALTC, post-acute and
long-term care; POA, power of attorney; SBAR, Situation, Background, Assessment and
Request; UTI, urinary tract infection
