ISR 83 - Limited Mobility as a Risk Factor for Urinary Tract Infections in Home Care Patients

Background: Home care patients, especially those with limited mobility, face unique challenges in maintaining proper urinary function. Limited mobility can lead to increased dependency on caregivers for activities of daily living (ADLs), including assistance with toileting and hygiene. This dependence, coupled with the potential for incontinence or bladder retention puts individuals at a higher risk for developing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Understanding the relationship between limited mobility and UTIs in the home care setting is crucial to establishing effective prevention strategies.

Methods: From November 2022 to November 2023, data was collected via a third-party platform from electronic health records in a multi-state home care agency and analyzed to identify the prevalence of UTIs in individuals with limited mobility. Risk factors were pulled from admission assessments documenting the patients’ baseline mobility status. For this study, ADLs/toilet hygiene and ADLs/ambulation (chairfast, bedfast) were used to assess mobility dependence.

Results: 9,145 patient episodes were analyzed, with 103 (1%) patients having developed UTIs during the study period. 634 patients were identified to be totally dependent for toilet hygiene, with 20 (3.2%) having developed a UTI. 615 patients were identified as chairfast, with 17 (2.8%) having developed a UTI. 62 patients were identified as bedfast, with 4 (6.5%) having developed a UTI.

Conclusions: This study found a correlation between limited mobility and the risk of developing UTIs in home care patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and prevention measures in this population. Home care providers should prioritize strategies that promote bladder emptying, proper hygiene, caregiver support and education, and early identification of UTIs in patients with limited mobility.