I understand that it is a standard procedure for a urine m/c/s to be done in cases of suspected severe sepsis. but if there is no evidence of a uti & the antibiotics would cover a uti in any case then what is the point of it? does it really matter?

UTI w/no symptoms: Many cases of sepsis can be due to urinary tract infections that may have no symptoms. Also, sepsis means infection throughout the blood stream. The germs spread and cause infections in other organ systems, that initially showed no infection. Also, special cultures may need to be done to detect germs that need special culture material to detect them.

You want to know bac: The point of a urine C/S is to isolate bacteria which could be causing severe sepsis. Bacteria can get to urine from bloodstream without causing UTI. While the yield on urine M/C/S is lower because Abx have been started, the benefit of the info is so high that it's worth taking a chance. How do you KNOW the Abx is right? Could bacteria be resistant? What long-term Abx can be used? It matters A LOT