Impact of the beta-lacta test on the management of urinary tract infections at the emergency department.

INTRODUCTION Rapid detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamases is essential. In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of β-lacta test on both the times to appropriate antibiotic therapy and to the implementation of patient isolation measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS We included prospectively all the patients admitted to the emergency department for clinical suspicion of urinary tract infection. Compared with physician's decision, we analysed the potential impact of β-lacta test on the initial antibiotic therapy and on the implementation of hygiene measures. This study has been registered under number NCT02897609. RESULTS We included 203 patients, 43% with acute pyelonephritis and 21% with acute prostatitis. The β-lacta test had a 95.2% sensitivity and a 99.5% specificity to detect extended-spectrum β-lactamases. Taking the β-lacta test results into account would have decreased significantly both the times to appropriate therapy and to isolation measures from 54 to 2.7 h and from 55.2 to 2.6 h, respectively. CONCLUSION The β-lacta test could reduce significantly the times to appropriate therapy and implementation of isolations measures.