Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and the midwife's role

Furber, Christine; G Allison, David; Hindley, Carol

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest challenges to health care. With a reduced number of effective antibiotics, treatable conditions, such as ear, tooth and urine infections, may therefore become life-threatening. In order to minimise antimicrobial resistance, midwives should use clinical strategies that facilitate antibiotic stewardship, such as promoting healthy lifestyles, infection control and compliance with prescribed antibiotic treatment, and should endeavour to share knowledge and expertise with members of the wider multidisciplinary team, such as pharmacists. In addition, midwifery curricula should ensure that midwives have a knowledge of the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance and principles of antibiotic stewardship so that health professionals may share their expertise in order to combat this significant challenge, which poses the threat of a post-antibiotic era.

Citation

Furber, C., G Allison, D., & Hindley, C. (2017). Antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic stewardship, and the midwife's role. British Journal of Midwifery, 25(11), 693-698. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2017.25.11.693

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Dec 24, 2023
• Journal: British Journal of Midwifery
• Print ISSN: 0969-4900
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-4307
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 693-698
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2017.25.11.693
• Keywords: Maternity and Midwifery