Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) can significantly affect patients' quality of life and increase healthcare costs.
This study aimed to capture patients' and nurses' experience of catheter maintenance using a polyhexanide-based solution (PS) in everyday practice.
Retrospective analysis of data was collected for a product evaluation. PS was used twice a week for five weeks.
The study included 42 patients, 30 (71%) men and 12 women (29%). After five weeks of rinsing catheters with PS, nine patients reported no or decreased frequency of CAUTI, eight a better quality of life, eight reduced blockage, seven a decrease in odour and five fewer catheter changes. Three patients reported no benefit from PS use. Nurses reported that fewer visits were needed and consumption of disposables was lower.
User experiences suggest that, as a novel means of catheter maintenance, PS has the potential to reduce catheter-associated complications such as CAUTI, improve quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing). 2020 Oct 08 [Epub]
Litti Andersen, Marianne Bertelsen, Vicki Buitenhuis, Annette Carstensen, Jane Hannibalsen, Bente Holmgaard Larsen, Renata Hvirvlkær, Zofia Anna Malinowska, Beritt Pedersen, Susanne Ulla-Britt Würtz
Continence Advisor, Slagelse Kommune, Denmark., Incontinence Coordinator & Urotherapist, Frederiksberg Kommune, Denmark., Department Nurse & Urotherapist, Gentofte Hospital, Denmark., Continence Advisor, Sønderborg Kommune, Denmark., Continence Advisor, Rigshospitalet, Denmark., Continence Advisor, Viborg Kommune, Denmark., Continence Advisor, Aarhus Kommune, Denmark., Nurse/Urotherapist, MCN - Special Clinical Function (Development), University Hospital of Aalborg, Denmark.