Antimicrobial stewardship knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Infectious Disease
• Public Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global health threat.
• Effective antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are crucial for combating resistance.
• Nurses play a vital role in implementing ASPs at the bedside.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess bedside nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antimicrobial use.
• To identify specific areas for improvement in nursing antimicrobial stewardship.
• To inform the development of targeted, nursing-driven interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted among bedside nurses.
• The survey assessed knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices related to antimicrobial prescribing and administration.
• Data analysis identified trends and discrepancies in nurse perceptions.

Main Results:

• Significant variations were observed in nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards antimicrobial use.
• Discrepancies between perceived knowledge and actual practice were identified.
• Opportunities for enhanced communication and education among nursing staff were highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Nursing-based interventions are essential for optimizing antimicrobial use.
• Addressing knowledge and practice gaps can improve the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship.
• Enhanced inter-professional communication is key to successful stewardship efforts.