A Need for a Time-Out: A Consensus Statement From the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) on the Use of Urine Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing for Urinary Tract Infections

Identification and appropriate treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is challenging in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings. Urine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has emerged as a rapid diagnostic alternative to standard urine culture, gaining increasing adoption in nursing homes despite limited guidance on its appropriate use. In response to concerns regarding clinical utility, a small workgroup composed of members of the Infection Advisory Subcommittee convened in 2024 to develop a consensus statement on urine PCR testing in PALTC settings.