UTI GP Toolkit

17th December 2018

Urinary tract infections are common. Assessment and treatment of UTI is generally a straightforward GP consultation. However, UTI’s account for 55% of the cases of gram-negative blood stream infections, which have a 30% mortality rate.

Most cases of gram-negative blood stream infections are of community onset. Over half are due to UTI’s. Most are seen in people living at home (not in care homes) and most are not catheter associated.  Most are seen in the patients we see day in, day out in primary care.  Furthermore, trimethoprim resistance is rising and our first line antibiotics are changing.

During the summer heat wave, Manchester saw a spike in cases of gram-negative blood stream infections, most likely as a result of poorer hydration and more UTIs.

As a result of resistance Trimethoprim is no longer recommended as first line empirical treatment for urinary tract infections. Please find a toolkit here to help you manage patients presenting with symptoms or suspected symptoms for a UTI. {link to the UTI toolkit attached above)