BMJ  2003;327 (20 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7416.0-a

Nurse led intervention improves diagnosis of UTIs in children

A nurse led model for the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children in primary care improves diagnostic standards and increases referral rates. In a cluster randomised trial Coulthard and colleagues (p 656) assessed the model, which involved ongoing education, the management of children by general practitioners, counselling of families, and direct access to imaging investigations. The intervention improved the rate and quality of diagnoses, halved the number of hospital visits, was valued by parents and doctors, and may have prevented some renal scarring, say the authors.

Credit: DAMIEN LOVEGROVE/SPL

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A nurse led education and direct access service for the management of urinary tract infections in children: prospective controlled trial

Malcolm G Coulthard, Sue J Vernon, Heather J Lambert, and John N S Matthews
BMJ 2003 327: 656. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]