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How drug-resistant microorganisms affect nursing
1Florida Hospital Diabetes Center in Orlando, USA.
Abstract:
Although antibiotics have improved the mortality and morbidity associated with infectious disease, antibiotic mismanagement has created drug-resistant microorganisms, which are present in the environment outside the hospital. In the hospital, drug-resistant microorganisms require Contact Isolation, a transmission-based isolation recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nurse's role in preventing the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms includes using appropriate infection control and isolation guidelines (especially handwashing), working with other health care workers to maintain appropriate infection control standards at all times, and teaching patients and families about infection control and antibiotic management.
Insights
Antibiotic misuse fuels drug-resistant microbes. Nurses are key in preventing spread through infection control, isolation, and patient education.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Nursing
Background:
- Antibiotics have significantly reduced infectious disease mortality and morbidity.
- Mismanagement of antibiotics has led to the emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms in both hospital and environmental settings.
- Drug-resistant microorganisms necessitate specific infection control measures, such as Contact Isolation, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the critical role of nurses in preventing the transmission of drug-resistant microorganisms.
- To emphasize the importance of adhering to infection control and isolation guidelines.
- To highlight the educational responsibilities of nurses regarding infection control and antibiotic stewardship.
Main Methods:
- Review of current infection control guidelines from the CDC.
- Analysis of the nurse's responsibilities in preventing the spread of resistant pathogens.
- Emphasis on practical infection control techniques, including hand hygiene.
- Discussion of interprofessional collaboration in maintaining infection control standards.
- Exploration of patient and family education strategies for infection control and antibiotic management.
Main Results:
- Nurses play a pivotal role in mitigating the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms.
- Consistent adherence to infection control protocols, particularly handwashing, is essential.
- Effective patient and family education empowers them to participate in infection control and appropriate antibiotic use.
- Collaboration among healthcare workers is vital for maintaining high infection control standards.
Conclusions:
- Nurses are central to controlling the spread of drug-resistant microorganisms within healthcare settings.
- Implementing and enforcing infection control guidelines, including Contact Isolation and hand hygiene, is crucial.
- Educating patients and families on infection control and antibiotic stewardship is a key nursing function to combat antimicrobial resistance.