Health Research Seminar Series with the School of Nursing Present

Date:
Thursday, October 27, 2022 - 2:30pm to 4:00pm
Location:
7-152
Campus:
Prince George

Antimicrobial Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance: leadership roles for RNs

SPEAKER: Dr. Gigi Lim | Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Auckland

Date: October 27, 2022 | 2:30-4P.M.

Location: 7-152 or via Zoom 

https://bit.ly/3eSpfo6

Passcode: 888917

Description

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent public health problem. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) are a coherent set of actions which promote the responsible use of antimicrobials to counteract AMR. Community antibiotic use is a strong driver of AMR and in NZ, over 95% of antibiotics are dispensed and consumed in the community placing Māori, Pacific peoples and older people with co-morbidities at risk to antibiotic harm. AMR poses a huge threat to human health, particularly for vulnerable populations that have the greatest need for effective antimicrobial therapy. As RNs comprise our largest health workforce (N=51,761) and are involved with all aspects of the health system, they have significant potential to improve antimicrobial use via their own practice, and via engagement with other health professionals and consumers from tertiary hospitals (e.g. surgery, cancer care), to remote settings.

An intended outcome of this research is to explore the role of RNs (Māori and non-Māori) as AMS stewards and to show nursing’s current involvement in clinical work that mitigates the risk of infectious disease and AMR for NZ. This study is responding to a call for action to reducing AMR through AMS approaches. RNs are positioned well to help with implementation of AMS programmes and activities in NZ as RNs are already engaged in activities contributing to AMR reduction. Greater support and targeted education, and clarification of the specific roles for RNs in AMS are required to incorporate AMS into their daily tasks, and to apply AMS principles to their care of patients and take on leadership roles in AMS programmes.

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