Asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) is a condition in which bacteria are detected in urine culture without urinary symptoms. The inappropriate use of antibiotic treatment for AB selects bacterial flora to express resistance mutations. Reducing inappropriate antibiotic use for AB is difficult, since the microbiology laboratory cannot distinguish patients with AB. The investigators study will use a restricted laboratory report requesting the physician to call the laboratory for culture results. The restricted report may reduce the rate of inappropriate treatment of AB.

Positive urine cultures during the study period will be randomized to restricted microbiology laboratory reporting or standard microbiology laboratory reporting. Physician or patient consent will not be collected. Patient records will be assessed by the investigator to determine if patients have AB or urinary tract infection. Physician antibiotic treatment decision in both groups will be collected.

Inclusion Criteria:

• positive urine culture from inpatients at Health Sciences Centre or St. Clare's Mercy Hospital or outpatients during study period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy,
• antibiotic treatment at the time of urine collection,
• collection from an indwelling catheter,
• admission to long term care facility.

110 Results randomized. All randomized results were analysed.

7 days after positive urine culture

Bacteremia and Death reported at 7 days follow up, Adverse events (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) reported at 72 hours follow up

Our design is a proof-of-concept which will require additional trials to verify. It would be impractical to manually screen all inpatient urine specimens using our inclusion criteria, although automated eligibility screening may be possible.