Reclassification of urinary tract infections in critically ill trauma patients: a time-dependent analysis.
BACKGROUND
Successful treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the trauma ICU requires early recognition and timely, appropriate antibiotic therapy. We evaluated the incidence and microbiology of UTIs stratified by days post-admission and risk factors.


METHODS
Prospective data were collected on 1,172 trauma patients admitted to the ICU over a two-year period. Infections were classified as Community Acquired (CA, < or = 3 days), Early Nosocomial (EN, 4-6 days), Mid-Nosocomial (MN, 7-10 days) and Late Nosocomial (LN > 10 days). Criteria of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used for diagnosis.


RESULTS
Two hundred twenty patients (19%) were diagnosed with a total of 235 UTIs. Thirtysix patients were diagnosed with multiple UTIs. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp. and Candida sp. were the most common pathogens isolated. One thousand one hundred fifty-one patients had a Foley catheter placed (mean duration, 1 +/- 11 days) with a CDC device-related infection rate (no. of catheter-associated UTIs/1000 catheter days) of 18. Patients admitted with a CA infection were significantly older (p < 0.001) and had a higher mortality rate (39% vs. 15%, p = 0.001). Unanticipated pathogens in this group included Enterococcus, Candida, and Pseudomonas. Women were more likely to be admitted with a CA infection (5% vs. 1%, p < 0.001) or acquire an NI infection (23% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Obesity was highly predictive of increased Foley catheter days, and thus UTI, by multivariate analysis (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen in all nosocomial infection categories. Increased age, gender, and obesity, in addition to catheter-days, were significant risk factors for UTI in trauma patients. Specific risk factors may predispose patients to pathogens that are not ordinarily covered by usually-chosen antibiotic therapy.
Bochicchio
Grant V
GV
Program in Trauma, R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA. gbochicchio@umm.edu
Joshi
Manjari
M
Shih
Diane
D
Bochicchio
Kelly
K
Tracy
Kate
K
Scalea
Thomas M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D016638:Critical Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014546:Urinary Catheterization; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000382:microbiology*