Should the AIDS/nurses in a nursing home be able to tell a elderly resident has a urine infection when it is septic?

The nurses and aides can bring it up with the doctor in charge if they suspect something. I'm sure they are trained to recognize the signs.

Like JessieBelle said, there are signs and symptoms. If there's an infection the person will run a fever, possibly be lethargic, and the urine may smell abnormal.

But nurses and aides can't diagnose their patients. A Dr. will have to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic.

Tena make little diagnostic kits that go inside diapers. They're only a first line check but I (family caregiver, not professional) found they work pretty well.

Why do you ask, HillyDilly? What's happened?

They should know what signs to look for and collect a sample for a test if it is needed. It might not be a bad idea to have routine checks on elders who are incontinent. I don't know how this is managed.

CNA's cannot diagnose..it is beyond their scope of practice.