Survey calls for ‘overdue revolution’ in UTI diagnosis and prenatal screening

A UK-based company has launched a nationwide survey to gain insight into women’s experiences with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and prenatal screening, in an effort to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs.

Forte Medical has launched the survey as many previously overlooked areas of women’s health are being discussed and transformed with research and innovation.

Initial responses confirm that fixing inaccuracy and infection control issues is important for patients and can streamline right-first-time urinalysis for healthcare providers; early respondents have noted frustration with retests and lack of hygiene to hands and toilet environment.

Giovanna Forte, CEO of Forte Medical, said: “Latest Government policy around precision, prevention and patient care points to an overdue revolution for this neglected area of women’s routine point of care diagnostics.

“This survey aims to underpin that revolution.”

Midstream urine is the global gold standard specimen for UTI diagnosis and routine prenatal screening, yet there is no protocol for its collection, leading to high levels of  broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribing, which may lead to increased levels of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) amongst women.

Current NHS, NICE and Public Health England recommended urine collection methods involve the awkward and unreliable start-stop-start technique or require the woman to insert a collection vessel into the urine stream in an attempt to capture the required midstream sample.

Both collection methods result in soiled hands and heightened risk of contamination.

More importantly, neither guarantees a reliable guideline compliant midstream specimen for analysis.

NHS Patient UK advice even advocates using a washed jam-jar if aiming into the tube or vessel is too difficult, creating risk of glucose contamination at point of collection and potential false-positive indication of diabetes, leading to unnecessary diagnostic blood tests.

First-void urine can carry natural bacteria off the skin into the sample, creating a “mixed growth” within the specimen, rendering up to 30 per cent unreliable.

Midstream urine is proven to contain any problem bacteria that may indicate the issues causing painful infection in the case of UTI, and for prenatal screening highlight any issues that might complicate the pregnancy.

Forte said: ““We are keen to receive answers to key questions such as: are hygiene and dignity important? How many women experience retests? Are they asked for guideline-compliant midstream? How many women are prescribed an immediate antibiotic – and do they work?

“When it comes to routine health, women’s voices really do matter.”

The survey is independently created and managed by FemSights, the audience insights specialist for women’s health and can be accessed here.