Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs in Preterm Infants: Encouraging Staff Nurse Engagement.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) care
• Infectious disease management
• Pediatric pharmacology

Background:

• Antibiotics are frequently used in NICUs, increasing risks of resistance and complications.
• Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are effective in adult populations but challenging to implement in neonatal settings.
• Preterm infants are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of antibiotic misuse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the concept of antimicrobial stewardship.
• To outline the core elements of CDC-recommended ASPs.
• To examine nursing implementation strategies for ASPs in NICUs, focusing on preterm infants.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on antimicrobial stewardship principles.
• Examination of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for ASPs.
• Analysis of strategies for nursing staff in NICU settings.

Main Results:

• Antibiotic misuse in NICUs is a significant concern.
• Existing ASP models face implementation hurdles in neonatal care.
• Specific strategies are needed for nursing engagement in NICU stewardship.

Conclusions:

• Effective antimicrobial stewardship in NICUs is crucial for improving preterm infant outcomes.
• Addressing nursing-specific challenges is key to successful ASP implementation.
• Further research and tailored interventions are needed to optimize antibiotic use in neonates.