BOSNIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2009 · DOI: · Published: January 1, 2009
Patients with spinal cord injuries are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to issues like incomplete bladder emptying and the necessity of using catheters, which can introduce bacteria into the bladder. The study involved 145 patients with spinal cord injuries, dividing them into three groups based on bladder drainage methods: intermittent catheterization, indwelling catheters, and self-catheterization. The research aimed to update the understanding of the causes and antibiotic resistance patterns of UTIs in this patient group, also exploring connections between UTIs and different bladder management techniques.
Strict adherence to hygiene protocols and aseptic catheter insertion techniques are crucial to minimize the risk of UTIs in spinal cord injury patients.
Judicious use of antibiotics based on culture results and clinical symptoms is necessary to combat the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms.
Prioritizing intermittent self-catheterization, when feasible, can reduce the incidence of UTIs compared to indwelling catheters.