Tackling Recurrent UTIs with OptimiseRx

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections seen in primary care, particularly among women. While a single episode can often be managed relatively easily, recurrent UTIs present a far greater challenge for prescribers and are a clinical priority across the NHS due to their prevalence, impact on patient quality of life, and their contribution to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

Meanwhile, the financial burden can also be considerable, with recurrent infections driving repeat appointments, prescriptions, and even resulting in hospital admission. New data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that treating urinary tract infections costs NHS hospitals in England an estimated £604 million in 2023 to 2024. 

Challenges for Prescribers 

We’ve heard first-hand from our customers how management of recurrent UTI symptoms must be balanced with the clinical need to reduce AMR. We also know that as primary care services face growing pressures and patients are often seen by different clinicians or across different settings, multiple episodes of infection appear isolated and end up being treated acutely. This fuels unnecessary overuse of antibiotics that builds resistance within the community and puts patients at risk of long-term complications and side effects such as antibiotic intolerance, allergy or increased risk of candidiasis or C. Difficile infections. 

Spotting the Pattern with OptimiseRx 

This is where FDB OptimiseRx is making a difference. We’ve enhanced the patient-specificity of clinical content, including new ‘counting’ functionality - a capability made possible by our unrivalled level of integration with clinical systems. 

This means OptimiseRx can automatically count the number of times a condition, such as a UTI, has occurred, allowing us to capture whether they are recurring, rather than acute, so prescribers can evaluate the broader pattern of recurrence and assess whether a preventative approach is needed.  

Aligning with the Latest NICE Guidance 

Our experienced team of in-house clinical experts have also updated OptimiseRx’s messages in line with NICE’s December 2024 guidance on recurrent UTI management, which encourages prescribers to consider the following, when hygiene measures alone are not appropriate: 

• Vaginal oestrogen for perimenopausal/postmenopausal women.
• Methenamine hippurate as a non-antibiotic alternative to daily prophylaxis in suitable cases. 

Within OptimiseRx, these evidence-based messages can even be tailored to reflect your local formulary, ensuring the alternative treatment options presented are both clinically robust and locally relevant. 

Smarter, Safer, More Proactive Care 

By combining advanced patient-specific messages with up-to-date clinical guidance, OptimiseRx helps prescribers move from reactive, episode-by-episode treatment to a more proactive, preventative, and sustainable approach. For recurrent UTIs, that means fewer unnecessary antibiotics, reduced AMR risk, and better outcomes for patients - while helping the NHS meet its clinical and financial goals. 

If you want to benefit from this new content within OptimiseRx, simply get in touch to learn more at contact@fdbhealth.com.