1. Adherence to Prescribed Antibiotics Nurses should ensure that antibiotics are administered exactly as prescribed by healthcare providers. This includes correct dosage, timing, and duration. Deviating from prescribed instructions can lead to suboptimal treatment and promote resistance.
2. Patient Education Educating patients about the importance of completing their antibiotic courses, not saving antibiotics for future use, and not sharing medications with others can significantly reduce misuse. Patients should be informed about the dangers of self-medication and the potential consequences of antibiotic resistance.
3. Infection Control Practices Strict adherence to infection control practices such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper cleaning of patient environments can reduce the spread of resistant bacteria. Nurses should be vigilant in following these protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
4. Judicious Use of Antibiotics Nurses should be aware of the principles of antimicrobial stewardship and advocate for the appropriate use of antibiotics. This involves using antibiotics only when necessary and opting for narrow-spectrum antibiotics whenever possible to minimize the impact on the body's normal flora.
