Data collection on spinal cord injuries: urological outcome

Analysis of 628 consecutive admissions to the Spinal Injuries Unit, Austin Hospital, between July 1978 and December, 1985 illustrates the value of a comprehensive data collection system which has been developed at the hospital since 1978. Some brief epidemiological data is presented, together with a detailed analysis of the urological outcome of patients with traumatic lesions whose discharge has been completed. A high rate of catheter-free status and urine sterility at discharge is reported, and factors affecting these results are analysed. The authors hope that an international system of data collection can be developed in the future to allow meaningful comparison of results between units.