“Exploration of Current Practice and the Rise of Antimicrobial Resistant Infections

The amount of patients contracting multidrug resistant infections is increasing at an alarming rate. This is leading to a rise in poor patient outcomes including longer hospital stays, lasting residual effects, and increased mortality rates. According to the Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (2011, p. 5), “the medical costs attributable to the infection ranged from $18,588 to $29,069 per patient, hospital stays were extended between 6.4 to 12.7 days, and the attributable mortality of the infection was 6.5%.” These frightening numbers influenced the selection of the research topic and investigation on the spread on antimicrobial resistant infections. The purpose of this baccalaureate nursing student group project was to explore hospital procedures currently in place to prevent the spread of these infections and to gain insight into the practices leading to their etiology. The purpose was guided by The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goal 07.03.01 that aims to decrease the amount of preventable healthcare problems and improve the quality of healthcare.  Upon investigating relevant research, it was evident that emphasis is being placed upon better infection control policies and procedures and the proper use of antimicrobials. While these ideas have been proven effective at preventing the creation and spread of antimicrobial resistant organisms, the recommendations in the literature are not common practice in today’s hospital settings. We investigated actual clinical practices being implemented and compared these practices with the suggestions presented in current research.  Recommendations were provided in order for clinical facilities to meet the recommended standards of practice.  The student group used this project to learn application of nursing research within the clinical setting, as well as how any nurse can investigate and impact quality of patient care and safety.  This presentation will offer student nurses, as well as nurses in education or clinical practice, the opportunity to consider their own potential regarding these impacts.