Concern about the clinical impact of antibiotic resistance was found to be generally lacking among healthcare providers at residential aged care facilities, according to a study published in BMC Infectious Diseases.
The purpose of the study was to explore the prevailing perceptions and attitudes of healthcare providers towards antibiotic prescribing behavior, antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship in the RACF setting.
Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with healthcare providers at RACFs and a total of 40 nurses, 15 general practitioners and six pharmacists from 12 RACFs were recruited.
According to the study, a higher proportion of general practitioners and pharmacists felt there was over-prescribing of antibiotics in the RACF setting, as compared with nurses. Antibiotic resistance was generally perceived as an issue for infection control rather than impacting clinical decisions.
All key stakeholders were supportive of antimicrobial stewardship implementation in RACFs, however, they recognized barriers related to workload and logistical issues.
More Articles on Quality:
Despite Guidelines, Antibiotics Prescribed at High Rate for Bronchitis
New Pathogen-Identification Method Leads to Cost Savings: Study
Kaiser South Sacramento Patients Potentially Exposed to Whooping Cough