Quantifying guideline-discordant intermittent catheterization in adults hospitalized with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To characterize guideline-discordant clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) during hospitalizations of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), explore predictors of guideline-discordant CIC, and examine its association with urinary tract infection (UTI).

Setting: Acute care hospitals within a large academic health system.

Methods: Using electronic health records (9/1/2021-9/30/2023), we identified adults hospitalized with a discharge diagnosis of SCI and ≥1 documented CIC bladder output. The primary outcome was guideline-discordant CIC (bladder output volume >500 mL and/or time between CIC > 6 h). Generalized linear model and Chi-square test were used to evaluate patient factors and UTI risk associated with guideline-discordant CIC.

Results: The study included 413 patients with SCI covering 8,016 CIC measurements during 519 hospitalizations. Their mean (SD) age was 55.2 (20.6) years, with 34.7% female and 46.8% Black. 52.8% were covered by Medicare. 79.4% had a thoracolumbar-level SCI. 50.2% of CICs were guideline-discordant. Males and those with managed care insurance had significantly higher odds of guideline-discordant CIC (OR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.73 and OR = 2.05, 95% CI, 1.18 to 3.54, respectively). Patients with an indwelling catheter for ≥12 days before initiating CIC had significantly lower odds of guideline-discordant CIC (OR = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.84). The UTI incidence was 12.5% in hospitalizations with guideline-discordant CIC compared to 10.4% with guideline-concordant CIC (P = 0.49).

Conclusions: Half of CICs did not adhere to guidelines, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives. Further research examining the association between UTI and CIC care patterns is warranted.