Course Summary

Expiration Date: 10/21/2028

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy across all care settings. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance, evolving pathogen profiles, and the growing complexity of UTI presentations, particularly complicated UTIs (cUTIs), have led to updated treatment recommendations. This course provides a comprehensive overview of UTI pathophysiology, risk stratification, and the latest clinical guidelines for management. Emphasis is placed on antimicrobial stewardship and interprofessional collaboration in optimizing treatment outcomes.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • UTI Etiology and Classification: A Guide to Clinical Evaluation
    • Risk Factors
    • Classification: Uncomplicated vs. Complicated UTI
  • Guideline-Based Treatment Updates
    • Antibiotic Selection
    • Uncomplicated Cystitis (Non-Pregnant Women)
    • Four-Step Framework — Empiric IV Therapy for Complicated UTI
    • Step 1 – Assess Severity of Illness
    • Step 2 – Gauge the Likelihood of Resistant Pathogens
    • Step 3 – Integrate Patient-Specific Factors
    • Step 4 – Validate Coverage with the Local Antibiogram
    • Transition to Oral Therapy and Total Duration
    • Special Populations
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship in UTI Management
    • Urinalysis in Symptomatic Patients: Guideline-Based Indications
  • Interprofessional Collaboration
  • RX JOURNAL CLUB: Navigating Empiric and Directed Therapy in a Complicated UTI
    • Introduction
    • Case Presentation
    • Microbiology and Treatment Course
    • Discharge and Follow-Up
    • Discussion
    • Step 1 – Assess Severity of Illness
    • Step 2 – Gauge the Likelihood of Resistant Pathogens
    • Step 3 – Integrate Patient-Specific Factors
    • Step 4 – Tailor Therapy Based on Susceptibility Data
  • Summary

Authors

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.

Luke Almos, PharmD

Luke Almos will be graduating from the University of Montana’s Skaggs School of Pharmacy in the spring of 2026. He has 3 years of experience in retail pharmacy, with interests in inpatient and ambulatory patient care. He has actively contributed to research and educational materials throughout his undergraduate education. His primary interests are metabolic disorders, anticoagulation management, and providing patient education. Luke’s primary goal is to help implement initiatives and provide education resulting in impactful patient care across all specialties.