Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control-Online Journal

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Nationwide Survey of Nurses' Educational Experience and Clinical Practice on Antimicrobial Therapy

Yuka SATO and Yukiko NAGASAKI
Aichi Medical University College of Nursing

This study aimed to gain insight into how to better educate nurses and improve their clinical practice on antimicrobial therapy through a survey of their relevant educational and clinical experiences. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 681 ward nurses at 173 hospitals nationwide, including regional medical care support hospitals with 300 or more beds, advanced treatment hospitals, and designated cancer hospitals. The survey inquired about the respondents' educational experience in 17 areas of antimicrobial therapy, their knowledge of time- and concentration-dependent antimicrobial agents, their awareness and practice of intravenous antimicrobial administration, and prescription orders by physicians.
The number of completed questionnaires that we received back was 381 (response rate: 55.9%). There were only four aspects of antimicrobial therapy in which 70% or more respondents received education. Of the respondents, 9.6% were educated in the PK-PD theory and 36.6% in the assessment of stool properties using the Bristol stool scale. The rates of those who received education regarding time- and concentration-dependent antimicrobial agents were 42.9% and 37.3%, respectively, and 51.9% of the respondents were found to "successfully" administer time-dependent agents at equal intervals. In addition, 90% or more of the respondents were either "aware" or "somewhat aware" of the need to assess side effects. Among them, 62.0% collected information on diarrhea, and 28.3% employed the Bristol stool scale. Less than 50% of the respondents were found to "always" receive prescription orders from physicians.
Nurses tend to have less educational experience in the areas of antimicrobial therapy which requires practical improvement. The results indicate the need for appropriate continuing education, enhanced on-the-job training, and clear and specific prescription orders by physicians.

Key words：antimicrobial therapy, nurses, education, nursing practice

e-mail: satou.yuka.852＠mail.aichi-med-u.ac.jp

Received: March 4, 2021
Accepted: September 27, 2021

37 (1)：1─9,2022