Browsing by Author "Du Toit, Briette"

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    The role of the critical care nurse in the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme in a resource-limited country
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12) Du Toit, Briette; Mehtar, Shaheen; Meintjes, W. A. J.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Community Health.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Antimicrobial resistance has become a major public health threat and is particularly a problem in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is a high burden of infectious diseases. The implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme (AMS) is essential to reduce the development of resistance. However, adequate resources are often a problem, hence the necessity to investigate the availability of alternative, more cost-effective solutions. Including nurses in antimicrobial stewardship teams can add value due to the fact that nurses are in an ideal position to monitor the duration of antimicrobial treatment. Furthermore, nurses are responsible for the administration of medication and the collection of appropriate specimens and are primarily responsible for the care of the patient. The objectives of this study were to examine the role of the critical care nurse in the implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme in LMICs and to identify interventions where the critical care nurse plays a significant role as part of the AMS team. A pre- and post-intervention interventional study design was followed where various interventions were implemented to establish which of these interventions can be implemented successfully by nurses with a meaningful impact on an AMS programme. The study found that nurses can play an important role in the implementation of an AMS programme and that they are a cost-efficient resource. Nurses should be an essential part of an AMS team. Additional training about AMS and infection prevention and control (IPC) is necessary and the training should be directed at the team; including nurses, doctors and pharmacists.