Nurses as antimicrobial stewards: Recognition, confidence, and organizational factors across nine hospitals.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2020

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.12.002

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are national calls to engage nurses as antimicrobial stewards, but it is unknown how patient safety culture influences nurses' antimicrobial stewardship (AS) involvement.

METHODS: Cross-sectional survey to determine bedside nurses' recognition and performance confidence in AS. Nine hospitals ranged in size from 42 to 562 beds serving pediatric and adult populations in 2 different metropolitan areas. Composite scores for nursing practices, performance confidence, and organizational factors were developed and correlated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey HSD post-hoc tests and nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis) tests with Bonferroni adjusted P values for multiple comparisons were used to evaluate differences by clinical unit and years of clinical experience. Free text comments were categorized by theme.

RESULTS: A total of 558 nurses participated (13% response rate). A significant positive association r

CONCLUSIONS: Nurses identified a professional role in AS processes, though safety culture inhibited their involvement. These findings can help enhance the inclusion of nurses in AS efforts.

Journal Title

American journal of infection control

Volume

48

Issue

3

First Page

239

Last Page

245

Keywords

Antibiotic stewardship; Antimicrobial stewardship; Nurses; Organizational patient safety; Patient safety; Performance confidence

Library Record

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