[AVBC 2025] Reducing Unwarranted Urine Cultures Among Patients With Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
National Healthcare Group
5 December 2025
To reduce the number of unwarranted urine cultures performed among patients with uncomplicated UTI in Geylang Polyclinic. There was a reduction in unwarranted urine cultures performed for patients with uncomplicated UTI.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 05 December 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Cost Saving, Time Saving, Productivity, Workflow Redesign
About this Content
Aims
To reduce the number of unwarranted urine cultures performed among patients with uncomplicated UTI in Geylang Polyclinic.
Background
UTI is one of the most commonly treated infections in primary care. The Agency for Care Effectiveness Clinical Guidance recommends diagnosing uncomplicated cystitis based on history and presentation in patients with typical symptoms. Urine culture is reserved for unresolved or recurrent cystitis. Judicious use of urine culture translates to cost savings for patients and waste reduction for the organization.
Methods
Patients who attended Geylang Polyclinic with uncomplicated UTI were identified. The percentage of patients with uncomplicated UTI who had urine cultures done were monitored manually. Education sessions, workflow updates, improving communication between departments, and individualized feedback to ordering clinicians were provided based on root cause analysis to target excessive urine culture orders.
Results
There was a reduction in unwarranted urine cultures performed for patients with uncomplicated UTI. The results were then compared to EPIC generated data which showed a similar downtrend. The most effective intervention comes from giving individualized feedback to change clinicians ordering habits.
Conclusion
There was a reduction in unwarranted urine cultures performed for patients with uncomplicated UTI. The results were then compared to EPIC generated data which showed a similar downtrend. The most effective intervention comes from giving individualized feedback to change clinicians ordering habits.
Lessons Learnt
There was a reduction in unwarranted urine cultures performed for patients with uncomplicated UTI. The results were then compared to EPIC generated data which showed a similar downtrend. The most effective intervention comes from giving individualized feedback to change clinicians ordering habits.
Keywords
UTI, urine culture, cost savings, workflow updates, feedback
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | Geylang Polyclinic |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Urology, Infectious Diseases |
Project Lead(s) | Koh Nan Jun |
Project Member(s) | Gao Hua |
Connect with this contributor!
Koh Nan Jun - nan_jun_koh@nhgp.com.sg