The nurses' role in antimicrobial stewardship: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Infectious Disease Control
• Antimicrobial Stewardship

Background:

• The critical role of nurses in antimicrobial stewardship is often underestimated.
• Nurses significantly influence the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through intravenous antibiotic management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the multifaceted role of nurses in antimicrobial stewardship.
• To examine best practices for the preparation, administration, and disposal of intravenous antibiotics by nurses.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping review of seven databases was conducted.
• Literature screening involved pre-set inclusion/exclusion criteria, with eligible articles synthesized.
• Reference lists and social media were reviewed for additional relevant literature.

Main Results:

• Forty-three sources of evidence were included in the review.
• Nurses' roles include monitoring judicious antibiotic prescribing.
• Limited research exists on best practices for preparing, administering, and disposing of intravenous antibiotics, with scarce evidence of consistent policies, guidelines, or education for nurses.

Conclusions:

• Evidence for best practices in intravenous antibiotic management by nurses is limited.
• Optimal nursing practices in antibiotic management can reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
• Enhanced education and evidence-based guidelines are crucial to support nurses in antimicrobial stewardship.