Spinal Cord Injury Provider Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Bacteriuria Management and Antibiotic Stewardship

The study investigates how healthcare providers manage bacteriuria, a common condition after spinal cord injury. Conflicting guidelines make it hard to manage bacteriuria and antibiotic use properly. The study looks at what providers know, how they feel, and how they work together regarding bacteriuria during annual check-ups. The study found that many providers incorrectly order urine cultures and would inappropriately use antibiotics for asymptomatic bacteriuria if certain organisms are present. Staff providers demonstrated better teamwork and safety climate scores than resident physicians. The study concludes that there are gaps in knowledge and uncertainty among providers. Addressing these gaps can help create better antibiotic stewardship programs for spinal cord injury care.

• 1
  30% of participants endorsed incorrect triggers for obtaining a urine culture, such as changes in urine color, cloudiness, or odor.
• 2
  57% of participants would treat asymptomatic bacteriuria if caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase Escherichia coli, indicating unnecessary antibiotic use.
• 3
  Staff providers had significantly higher teamwork and safety climate scores compared to resident physicians (P = .02 and P < .01, respectively).