Vol. 1 No. 2 (2022): infermieristica journal: we never stop
Articles

Handling the challenge of antimicrobial resistant superbugs in the clinical setting: nursing staff as a pivotal player

Marco Coppi
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
Ilaria Baccani
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
Claudia Niccolai
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
Alberto Antonelli
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence
Gian Maria Rossolini
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

Published 2022-12-17

Keywords

  • AMR,
  • MDR,
  • Infection Prevention and Control,
  • Antimicrobial Resistance,
  • Nursing Staff.

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics (antimicrobial resistance, AMR) is spreading globally among major Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens (including staphylococci, enterococci, Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics (antimicrobial resistance, AMR) is rapidly spreading globally among major Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens (including staphylococci, enterococci, Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii); this phenomenon has a remarkable impact on morbidity, mortality and healthcare-associated costs. Evolution and dissemination of AMR can be counteracted with a combined strategy based on i) antimicrobial stewardship programs aimed at a prudent and appropriate use of antibiotics to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the selective pressure for resistance; and ii) infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, to limit the spread of resistant pathogens within the healthcare settings. In this scenario, the nursing staff plays a pivotal role, since these figures are involved in the enforcement and supervision of IPC bundles (e.g., contact precautions, hand, and environmental hygiene, active surveillance, patient isolation, or cohorting), which are essential to limit the spread of resistant pathogens among different patients. 

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