Published in 1991, these criteria are used to make an empiric diagnosis of UTI in a nursing home resident who does not have an indwelling catheter, of the following symptoms must be present:
Fever (temperature of at least 38°C [100.4°F])
New or increased frequency, urgency, or burning on urination.
New flank or suprapubic pain or tenderness.
Change in character of urine.
Worsening of mental or functional status.
Urine culture results are not included in these criteria because of the high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly nursing home residents.