Urine PCR Testing

A Need for a Time-Out: A Consensus Statement From the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) on the Use of Urine Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing for Urinary Tract Infections – Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

UTI is a clinical diagnosis based on specific symptoms plus a positive urinalysis (UA) and urine culture as outlined in our previous UTI consensus statement (See Figure 1).¹ Nonspecific symptoms such as altered mental status, foul-smelling urine, and falls have low positive predictive values (PPVs) for the diagnosis of UTI.^8-11 Studies have shown no benefit for treating these symptoms with antibiotics, and guidelines recommend investigating alternative causes.^1,2

It is important to note that a UA that is negative for leukocyte esterase and nitrites rules out a UTI. However, UA that is positive for either leukocyte esterase or nitrite does not confirm a UTI.