Urinary culture ordering practice following catheter removal updated April 9
June 14, 2026Change supports lab and antibiotic stewardship
By: Jasmin Chaudhary, MD, Salem Hospital Medical Staff President; and Kristi Gaskill, MSN, RN, Infection Prevention Program Manager
Through our catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention strategy, we identified an opportunity regarding the ordering of UA macro and micro with culture, if indicated.
Review of fiscal year-to-date data showed that urine cultures were being sent on patients who have had an indwelling urinary catheter based solely on irritative voiding symptoms (dysuria, frequency and urgency), which are expected in the 48 hours following catheter removal and may not indicate true infection.
Urine cultures should be reserved for patients who are truly symptomatic with objective findings such as:
- Fever
- Elevated white blood cell count
- Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
- Suprapubic pain or tenderness
To support lab and antibiotic stewardship, the Strategy Deployment Team partnered with Clinical Informatics to update the UA reflex to culture order to better reflect these criteria.
Since Thursday, April 9, the order includes updated options with carve-outs for specific at-risk populations (see screenshot below for details).
Questions or feedback? Please contact your Medical Director.
