Contamination of the environment of spinal cord injured patients by organisms causing urinary-tract infection.

Various environmental sites closely associated with spinally-injured patients were examined for contamination by organisms concurrently causing urinary infection. Of 30 episodes studied, the same organism was recovered from bedding on 20 occasions, from nine of 20 bath towels and less frequently from face cloths, clothing, wheelchairs and bedside units. The results indicate that contact with the immediate environment of spinal patients with urinary infection may lead to contamination of hands, and confirm and expand the need for handwashing by patients and staff.