Nurses team up with care homes to tackle urinary infections

Nurses have delivered training to help care home staff spot signs infections.

Nurses from the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Integrated Adult Nursing Service, which is part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, trained staff at 15 care homes on the symptoms and early management of urinary tract infections.

The training was developed after research showed a high number of care home patients were experiencing symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), but these were not always immediately recognised.

This led to unnecessary GP callouts and hospital admissions as well as discomfort for the resident.

After receiving funding from Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group, training was carried out across the borough and care home staff reported feeling more confident that they could identify and care for people experiencing a UTI. Support and ongoing education from nursing services has continued to ensure new care staff are trained and UTI management continues

Staff were also taught how to use a dipstick to test the urine for the presence of proteins and other substances to confirm an infection.

One resident at Littleborough Care Home was identified as having a UTI, tested and prescribed antibiotics by their GP the same day. When tested 48 hours after finishing treatment, the infection had cleared.

Jan Maslen, who led the project for Pennine Care, said the pilot had been a great success.

She said: “Care homes were encountering a lot of elderly people with urinary tract infections and often having to refer them to GPs or hospital services for treatment.

“By providing this training, we’ve reduced pressure on other local health services, ensured care home staff are confident they can spot a UTI and helped ensure residents have the comfort, care and dignity they deserve.”