Direct to Consumer Empowerment Program to Reduce Treatment of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury and Neurogenic Bladder
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health concern that worsens healthcare outcomes. Antibiotic resistant organisms occur more often in Veterans with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) given their frequent exposure to antibiotics, recurrent hospitalizations, and common use of urinary catheter devices. Veterans with SCI/D are also at risk for overtreatment with antibiotics when they do not need them, particularly for over-diagnosed urinary tract infections. The investigators plan to create a patient empowerment program with input of Veterans with SCI/D \[and their providers\] to help guide their decisions and next steps when they have a change in bladder symptoms. The program will give Veterans with SCI/D the tools to speak up to their provider and advocate for themselves to avoid receiving unnecessary antibiotics. This program is highly innovative, as it puts Veterans with SCI/D in charge of thoughtful antibiotic use, or antibiotic stewardship.
Description
It is estimated that 42,000 Veterans are living with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D), 27,000 of whom are cared for by the VA each year. Individuals with SCI/D and neurogenic bladder are at increased risk for infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to many factors, including repeated exposure to healthcare settings, healthcare-associated pathogens, and antibiotics, as well as the frequent presence of medical devices (e.g., urinary catheters).\] These issues are a cause for concern, as rising rates of antibiotic resistance are a major public health issue, and healthcare outcomes…