Nurses’ Views on Antimicrobial Stewardship: Gaps and Opportunities
Summary: A systematic review by Blackburn et al., published in Wound Practice and Research (June 2025), evaluated studies exploring nurses’ knowledge, perceptions, and experiences related to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). The review identified significant gaps that limit nursing engagement—and highlighted clear pathways to strengthen their roles in AMS programs.
Key Findings:
- Across seven studies, nurses consistently demonstrated limited knowledge of AMS principles, policies, and procedures—diminishing their confidence and involvement in stewardship efforts. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Common barriers include lack of structured training, unclear role boundaries, competing priorities, and organizational hierarchies that limit nursing autonomy. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Despite these challenges, nurses remain ideally positioned to support AMS through direct patient care—monitoring antimicrobial use, educating patients, and identifying early signs of infection. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- The authors advocate for AMS programs that include nurse-targeted education, clarify nursing responsibilities, and cultivate interprofessional collaboration to strengthen AMS outcomes. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Read the full review in Wound Practice and Research
Keywords:
antimicrobial stewardship,
nurses involvement,
knowledge gaps,
interprofessional collaboration,
education and training,
policy and procedures