[AVBC 2025] Reducing Inappropriate Urine Cultures Through Diagnostic Stewardship
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
SingHealth
10 November 2025
The aim is to reduce inappropriate urine cultures and understand barriers to appropriate ordering practices in the Singapore. Initial results demonstrate promising outcomes in reducing inappropriate urine culture orders and antibiotic usage, but success.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 10 November 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving
About this Content
Aims
The aim is to reduce inappropriate urine cultures and understand barriers to appropriate ordering practices in the Singapore tertiary hospital.
Background
Diagnostic Stewardship strives for appropriate test ordering, collection, reporting, and interpretation for optimal patient care. An audit revealed significant areas for improvement in urine culture practices.
Methods
A mixed-method prospective study was conducted in the Acute Medical Wards from June to December 2024, including a quasi-experimental study and qualitative focus group discussions.
Results
There was a 17% reduction in urine cultures ordered and a reduction in inappropriate orders from 52% to 33%. The audit identified predominant reasons for inappropriate orders.
Conclusion
Initial results demonstrate promising outcomes in reducing inappropriate urine culture orders and antibiotic usage, but success requires addressing both system and cultural barriers.
Lessons Learnt
Challenges remain in scaling up the initiative, requiring a multi-faceted approach addressing system and cultural barriers.
Keywords
Diagnostic Stewardship, Urine Cultures, Healthcare Resources
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Singapore General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Infectious Diseases |
Project Lead(s) | Fong Xuan Yun |
Project Member(s) | Fong Xuan Yun |
Connect with this contributor!
Fong Xuan Yun - fong.xuan.yun@sgh.com.sg