Risk Factors for Pulmonary Infection and Nursing Interventions Post-Tracheostomy in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the characteristics and risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with spinal cord injury who underwent tracheostomy and propose measures to help in early detection and intervention to reduce mortality and improve prognosis. METHODS: We collected data retrospectively from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022. The inclusion criteria were: Patients aged 18 years or more with a spinal cord injury who underwent tracheostomy, were treated with mechanical ventilation for over 48 hours, and were diagnosed as having a pulmonary infection. Sputum samples were cultured and analyzed. RESULTS: 101 cases of pulmonary infection were analyzed, and the incidence was 32.17%. Diabetes (OR 2.302, 95% CI 1.285–3.972), hypoproteinemia (OR 1.992, 95% CI 1.125–3.101), administration of glucocorticoids (OR 2.934, 95% CI 1.412–4.661), ASIA grade A (OR 3.672, 95% CI 1.988–5.046), mechanical ventilation for ≥ 6 days (OR 2.108, 95% CI 1.385–4.751), and length of hospital stay for ≥ 20 days (OR 2.137, 95% CI 1.092–3.842) were risk factors for pulmonary infection in patients with spinal cord injury post-tracheostomy. Among 213 pathogenic bacteria, 52 (51.48%) were Gram-negative and 24 (23.76%) were Gram-positive. Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.84%) and Staphylococcus aureus (8.91%) were the most common pathogenic bacteria. The mortality rate of patients with gram-positive infection was higher than that of patients with gram-negative infection. K. pneumoniae and S. aureus were sensitive to cefoperazone, meropenem, and levofloxacin. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary infection is a complication post-tracheostomy in patients with spinal cord injury. Diabetes, hypoproteinemia, administration of glucocorticoids, mechanical ventilation for ≥ 6 days, length of hospital stay for ≥ 20 days were risk factors for pulmonary infection. Pulmonary infection was mainly caused by gram-negative bacteria. Timely and effective measures for managing risk factors are essential for improving the prognosis of pulmonary infection post-tracheostomy in patients with spinal cord injuries.