Evaluating the incidence of bacteriuria in female patients before and after implementation of external urinary collection devices.

External urinary collection devices (ECDs) are increasingly used in female patients, however, their impact on bacteriuria and antimicrobial use is unclear. Comparing the periods before and after the implementation of an ECD use policy, we found an overall decrease in bacteriuria but no significant decrease in trend of monthly rates. Antimicrobial use for genitourinary indications did not change.