Highlights
- •Existing gap in nursing curriculum in areas related to optimal use of antimicrobials.
- •Barriers to clinical application of nurses' skills towards achieving desirable outcomes in patient care.
- •Need to impart focussed training on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial stewardship (AS) to nurses.
- •This article provides a launch point for considering scope of such trainings within the context of hospital settings in India as well as other countries.
- •Help inform future strategies for successful implementation of such trainings with the ultimate goal of fighting the battle against the global pandemic threat of AMR.
Abstract
Background
Nurses, the largest group among healthcare professionals, hold a pivotal position
to positively influence antimicrobial management by virtue of being in constant touch
with patients and their widespread engagement in multiple activities relating to antimicrobial
use. However, the existing gap in nursing curriculum particularly in areas related
to antimicrobial resistance and optimal use of these agents limits the clinical application
of nurses' skills and pose barrier to their contribution towards achieving desirable
outcomes in patient care. This training program was conducted to increase the nurses'
awareness on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and sensitize them on their role in optimal
antimicrobial management and stewardship activities.
Methods
Training comprised of 4 modules focussing on topics like key concepts on antimicrobials,
AMR, infection prevention and control, antibiotic allergy, optimal use of antibiotics
and antimicrobial stewardship (AS). The participants' knowledge at baseline and 1
week after program were assessed.
Results and conclusions
190 nurses participated in the program. Post program there was a consistent increase
in the number of correct responses to all knowledge-based questions pertaining to
4 modules. A significant improvement in knowledge scores for all modules from baseline
was also seen. The participants rated the overall quality of program as very good
and agreed on its applicability in their practice. The training program was quite
successful in educating nurses on critical issues related to AMR and AS. Nurses need
to be constantly trained and sensitized for their potential contributions in the field
of AMR and stewardship.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 18, 2023
Accepted:
March 21,
2023
Received in revised form:
February 8,
2023
Received:
November 11,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
