Test Smart, Treat Smart-using clinician feedback to adapt a catheter-associated urinary tract infection intervention for spinal cord injury.

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention is a major target for hospital quality metrics because it is linked to increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Health care systems use strict protocols surrounding catheterization and maintenance, which often disregard the clinical needs of special populations (eg, spinal cord injury [SCI]). However, for populations that rely on chronic instrumentation of the bladder, asymptomatic (ie, nonpathogenic) bacterial colonization in the bladder is common but not linked to adverse outcomes. Additionally, alterations in neurologic and sensory function after SCI make it difficult for clinicians to discern asymptomatic bacteriuria from acute urinary tract infection requiring antibiotics. Institutional policies for screening urine during SCI annual exams often lead to detection of bacteriuria but create a clinical decision-making challenge when determining whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate.

Objective: To conduct preimplementation SCI-focused adaptations to the evidence-based practice (EBP) "Kicking CAUTI"-to develop a guide for SCI providers surrounding testing and treatment of CAUTI.

Methods: Four 1-hour focus groups were conducted with SCI clinicians (prescribers and nursing staff) to assess insights on needed modifications to adapt Kicking CAUTI for SCI. The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidence-based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) was used to plan and report adaptations in this work and the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework to guide adaptation of the EBP for the SCI population. Content and thematic analysis guided our process.

Results: The clinical algorithm was simplified, a urinary symptom assessment added, and provider- and patient-facing educational materials were developed to support implementation efforts to create the Test Smart Treat Smart Intervention.

Conclusions: Traditional CAUTI protocols do not adequately address the needs of those with SCI and modifications are needed. Provider feedback provides valuable insights when adapting population appropriate interventions.