Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rapidly growing and a global threat to health and it places a significant burden on healthcare systems, especially in areas where antimicrobials may be started at an early age. This presentation addresses the main challenges associated with Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and AMR in paediatric settings, shedding light on the complexities that arise, especially in cases involving children with chronic conditions. Issues faced by these children include managing respiratory infections in the acute care settings to more complicated situations such as surgical prophylaxis and sepsis management in children with severe life-limiting illnesses like oncology pathologies. AMS becomes even more significant in the context of children with chronic conditions, where the appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing may have a direct impact on survival. Many children with chronic recurring infections require multiple courses of antimicrobials, placing them at high risk for the development of antimicrobial resistance, a concern particularly relevant in adolescents with cystic fibrosis for example. Paradoxically, the root of the problem can lie in the under and overutilisation of antimicrobials, driven, in part, partly by parental attitudes.
This presentation draws from a comprehensive program of research in the context of a PhD aiming to understand the complex challenges associated with AMS in acute paediatric settings and evaluate interventions that can enhance Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and AMS. The first phase of the program involved a systematic review examining the involvement of nurses and parents in AMS and IPC within acute paediatric settings. Following phases comprised qualitative interviews with nurses and parents to gain deeper insights into their perspectives and experiences.
This research uniquely explores these complex issues from the perspectives of front-line nurses and consumers, primarily parents. Through collaboration among healthcare professionals, especially nurses, and well-informed families, we can establish strategies tailored to paediatric settings and children, preserving the efficacy of antimicrobial agents, and safeguarding the health of our youngest patients as well as their future.