RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) can significantly affect patients' quality of life and increase healthcare costs. AIMS: This study aimed to capture patients' and nurses' experience of catheter maintenance using a polyhexanide-based solution (PS) in everyday practice. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data was collected for a product evaluation. PS was used twice a week for five weeks. FINDINGS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.