Antimicrobial switch therapy: barriers and facilitators from the perspective of nurses, pharmacists and physicians
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17058/reci.v15i2.19994Keywords:
Antimicrobial Stewardship, Drug Administration Routes, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Surveys and QuestionnairesAbstract
Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial switch therapy is an easy-to-implement intervention that can generate resource and nursing service time savings and contribute to reducing the impact of antimicrobial resistance. However, it is not implemented at the right time for hospitalized patients. Thus, this study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators of antimicrobial switch therapy from the perspectives of nurses, pharmacists, and physicians. Methods: This is a descriptive, quantitative online survey study conducted with nurses, pharmacists, and physicians working in a hospital environment in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed using absolute and relative frequency tables. Results: A total of 167 participants answered the questionnaire. Of those participants, 79 (47.3%) were pharmacists, 71 (42.5%) were nurses, and 17 (10.2%) were physicians. The main barriers identified by the participants were lack of medication with adequate oral bioavailability (76%), lack of prescriber engagement (74%), and lack of availability of oral medication at the institution (74%). The facilitators were hospital discharge (85%), an operating hospital infection control service (82%), and cost (81%). Conclusion: The present study identified the barriers and facilitators contributing to the development of institutional strategies within antimicrobial stewardship programs. These strategies enable the safe and timely switch to therapy.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Tatiane Garcia do Carmo Flausino, Darlyani Mariano da Silva, Lívia Cristina Scalon da Costa Perinoti, Rosely Moralez de Figueiredo
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