Abstract
The application of a paper strip screening test for urinary infection in the management of paraplegic patient is described. In acute injuries cultures are carried out daily on specimens of urine. A hundred consecutive patients admitted between 15 April 1971 and 17 March 1973 are reviewed. There were 51 cervical, 38 thoracic and 11 lumbar lesions. Fifty-nine were admitted within 7 days of injury. On admission 59 patients had sterile urine, 41 had infected urine. Two patients died during the study. At the end of the period or on discharge 86 patients had sterile urine. Half the patients with sterile urine acquired their first infection by 10 days. It was acquired on a Sunday or Monday in the majority of cases and eliminated in 2 days. The advantages of this technique in the speed of elimination of the infection and the maintenance of the urine in a sterile condition are discussed and comparisons made with other series.
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Silver, J. Management of urinary tract infection in acute paraplegic patients with special reference to the paper strip screening test for infection. Spinal Cord 12, 50–63 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1974.9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1974.9
