Objectives Current guidelines suggest assessing non-infectious causes and careful observation before giving antibiotics to delirious patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria. Our study aims to describe the current practice of Canadian physicians regarding the investigation and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in delirious older patients (aged ≥ 65 years). Methods Our team of medical experts designed and reviewed a cross-sectional online survey. Study participants were physicians who conduct their clinical practice in Canada and care for older patients with delirium in their current practice. Potential study participants were reached through Canadian associations: Canadian Geriatrics Society, the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians, the Association des Médecins d'Urgence du Québec and members of Choosing Wisely Canada. Results 297 physicians were included. The main results show 79.4% of our participants request a urine dipstick or urinalysis in delirious patients and 52.4% immediately order a urine culture with the urinalysis. If bacteriuria is found in delirious but afebrile patients without urinary symptoms, 38% of physicians immediately treat with antibiotics, 33.8% wait for culture before initiating treatment, 14.4% treat if no other cause is found for delirium and only 13.7% would refrain from giving antibiotics. Results from respondents were similar for delirious patients with known cognitive impairment. Participants were almost unanimous (92.5%) in saying they need clear guidelines regarding the treatment of bacteriuria in older delirious patients. Conclusions This survey highlights the heterogeneous clinical management of asymptomatic bacteriuria in delirious patients and the need for clear guidelines for patients.

Background  The rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) investigation and treatment in confused older emergency department (ED) patients has not been described in the literature. We aim to describe the pattern of practice in an academic tertiary care ED for this common presentation.  Methods  A health record review was conducted on 499 adults aged ≥65 presenting to academic EDs with confusion. Exclusion criteria: Glasgow Coma Scale < 13, current treatment for UTI, indwelling catheters, nephrostomy tubes, transfer from another hospital. Outcomes were the prevalence of UTI investigation, diagnosis and antibiotic treatment.  Results  64.9% received urine tests, 11.4% were diagnosed with UTI, and 35.2% were prescribed antibiotics. In the subgroup with no urinary symptoms, fever, or other obvious indication for antibiotics, these numbers were 58.2%, 7.6%, and 18.1%, respectively. Patients who had urine tests or received antibiotics were older than those who did not (p values < .01). Patients receiving antibiotics had higher admission rates and 30-day and six-month mortality (OR of 2.9 [2.0–4.3], 4.0 [1.6–11], and 2.8 [1.4–5.8], respectively).  Conclusion  Older patients presenting to ED with confusion were frequently investigated and treated for UTI, even in the absence of urinary symptoms. Antibiotic treatment was associated with higher hospitalization and mortality.

Background Among older adults with delirium and positive urinalysis, antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection is common practice, but unsupported by literature or guidelines. We sought to: i) determine the rate of antibiotic treatment and the proportion of asymptomatic patients (other than delirium) in this patient population, and ii) examine the effect of antibiotic treatment on delirium resolution and adverse outcomes. Methods A health record review was conducted at a tertiary academic centre from January to December 2020. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65, positive delirium screening assessment, positive urinalysis, and admission to general medical units. Outcomes included rates of antibiotic treatment, delirium on day 7 of admission, and 30-day adverse outcomes. We compared delirium and adverse outcome rates in antibiotic-treated vs. non-treated groups. We conducted subgroup analyses among asymptomatic patients. Results We included 150 patients (57% female, mean age 85.4 years). Antibiotics were given to 86%. The asymptomatic subgroup (delirium without urinary symptoms or fever) comprised 38% and antibiotic treatment rate in this subgroup was 68%. There was no significant difference in delirium rate on day 7 between antibiotic-treated vs. non-treated groups, (entire cohort RR 0.94 [0.41–2.16] and asymptomatic subgroup RR 0.69 [0.22–2.15]) or in 30-day adverse outcomes. Conclusions Older adults with delirium and positive urinalysis in general medical inpatient units were frequently treated with antibiotics – often despite the absence of urinary or other infectious symptoms. We failed to find evidence that antibiotic treatment in this population is associated with delirium resolution on day 7 of admission.