Patterns of dispensed non-medical prescriber prescriptions for antibiotics in primary care across England: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Increasing numbers of NMPs are working in primary care in England and managing infections. Antibiotics prescribed by this group align with surveillance reports of antibiotic use in primary care. With the numbers of NMPs being set to rise further, they form an important group to involve in antimicrobial stewardship efforts.

Applying an antimicrobial stewardship competency framework in nurse education and practice

“…Nurses are critical to the success of AMS programmes. They are increasingly prescribers of antibiotics (Courtenay et al 2017, American Association of Nurses (AANs 2017, and they are also directly involved in patient and medicine related stewardship activities (such as timely antibiotic administration, specimen collection, monitoring treatment and adverse events (WHO 2019).…”

“…In Spring 2019, an international panel of nurses across eight countries, experienced in AMS with advanced and specialist knowledge, and working in clinical, managerial, education and research roles, were invited to evaluate the AMS competency framework, with regards to its application to nursing practice. By use of a Delphi technique, a further 9 competency descriptors were identified as specific to nursing practice in order to achieve AMS competencies consistent with the roles of nurses (Courtenay et al 2019). The additional competency descriptors reflected the variety of roles, responsibilities, and expectations of nurses.…”

An overview of developments in nurse prescribing in the UK

“…The number of nurse prescribers in the UK steadily increased between 2011 and 2016 (Courtenay et al 2017a) and will continue to do so to fulfil the workforce needs of the NHS (NHS England 2014, NHS Health Education England 2016). If accepted, NMC (NMC 2017) proposals to include prescribing knowledge and skills in undergraduate nurse education will support this increase in the number of nurse prescribers.…”

“…Similarly, the appropriate use of antibiotics by nurses for minor infections will also slow the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Many nurses work in primary care settings, and frequently prescribe for respiratory conditions and infections (Latter et al 2010, Courtenay et al 2017a. However, existing research has focused on how GPs make prescribing decisions for patients with acute respiratory tract infections.…”

Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019–2024 – The UK's five-year national action plan

“…Indeed, the numbers of nurse prescribers (around 35,000), who are currently responsible for around 8% of all primary care antibiotics prescribed [6], is set to rise with less experienced nurses soon able to access shortened post-registration prescribing courses [7]. This only serves to emphasise the need for their engagement in this effort.…”