Bedside Nurses: Champions of Antimicrobial Stewardship

Area of Science:

• Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medications have led to a significant rise in multidrug resistance.
• Hospitalized patients, particularly in intensive care units, face a high risk of infections requiring effective treatment.
• Existing antimicrobial stewardship programs are limited by inadequate nurse participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of nurses in antimicrobial stewardship programs.
• To advocate for increased direct-care nurse involvement to enhance program effectiveness.
• To emphasize the need for greater nursing awareness of antimicrobial stewardship principles.

Main Methods:

• This article is a call to action based on existing literature and clinical observations.
• It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration within stewardship programs.
• It advocates for developing evidence-based strategies and protocols for antimicrobial use.

Main Results:

• Inadequate nurse involvement limits the potential of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
• Increased nurse participation is essential for improving program targets and patient outcomes.
• Enhanced nursing awareness and engagement can lead to safer and more effective antimicrobial prescribing.

Conclusions:

• Inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing poses risks of future resistant infections for patients and communities.
• Interdisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship programs are vital for promoting safe and appropriate medication use.
• Nurses are essential members of stewardship teams, contributing unique expertise to combat antimicrobial resistance.