This lesson on Urinary Tract Infections includes a complete training packet. Each in-service packet takes approximately one hour to complete and fully meets the Medicare in-service training requirements. As aides need training, you can make as many copies as you want - there's no restriction when used with aides assigned from your office location. Remember that Home Health Aides must have 12 hours of in-service training every year. LESSON OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this program, the home health aide will be able to: * Name two predisposing factors for development of UTI * Describe three symptoms of UTI *List four measures for preventing UTI * Identify two observations that should be reported to the supervisor OVERVIEW One of the most important infection prevention strategies in homecare should focus on prevention of urinary tract infections. This recommendation has been made by several notable infection control reports. Infections in homecare were addressed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plan, "Addressing Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Strategy for the 21 st Century," which identified urinary tract infections as an inherent risk for patients receiving home health services. The population served by homecare includes more females than males and most patients have advanced age and debilitation, all of which appear to increase the risk of developing UTIs. The aged and debilitated patients are also more likely to receive assistance from home health aides, so increasing aides' knowledge about recognizing and preventing UTIs could result in a reduction in the number of such infections. Development of UTI is reported on the Adverse Event Outcome Report for homecare agencies, and Improvement in UTI is measured on the Outcome-based Quality Indicator (OBQI) Risk Adjusted Outcome Report. Quality improvement activities designed to reduce the incidence of UTI almost certainly would include education of all caregivers in the home, especially those who provide personal care.