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Healthcare Associated Infections

Antimicrobials in Clinical Practice

Theme:
Healthcare associated infections
Overview:
This resource is designed for local trainers to support practitioners who are involved in the prescribing, monitoring and administration of antibiotics in their early stages of clinical practice. It will also be of value to those returning to practice or those wishing to refresh their knowledge of contemporary approaches to antimicrobial therapy in Scotland.
Contact:
Mrs Allison Brown

The resource includes:


A PowerPoint  training presentation designed to focus on key issues in antimicrobial prescribing to be delivered as a taught session within a wider induction programme.


A CPD record of evidence of learning to be retained by the practitioner.

 

This comprehensive training pack on use of antimicrobials is linked to educational requirements within key national documents including the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland Healthcare Associated Infection Standards and the Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan. 

 

In addition local delivery of the training will allow Antimicrobial Management Teams (AMT) to meet the educational requirements for antimicrobial prescribing mandated by the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate.

 

From a practitioner's perspective the knowledge gained and documentation of related evidence will contribute to personal development objectives and will link with the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).

 

Delivery of the training

 

Postgraduate medical tutors, antimicrobial pharmacists and practice development teachers will have access to this resource via the NHS Education for Scotland HAI website and SAPG website.

 

The training pack can be used by trainers for two purposes; early induction training of Foundation Year doctors to provide essential information required before starting to prescribe antibiotics in the ward setting, or for more detailed training on all aspects of antimicrobial use for those involved in administration, monitoring or prescribing roles.

 

The course has been split into short sections suitable for one-to-one teaching or small group sessions:

 

  1. Policy context: National and local strategic approaches
  2. Diagnosis of infection and clinical decision making
  3. Prudent antimicrobial prescribing
  4. Antimicrobial use in hospital
  5. Antimicrobial use in primary care
  6. Nurses' role in antimicrobial management

 

Each section can be delivered individually or can be combined into a longer teaching session.

 

Each slide is accompanied by trainers' notes to facilitate delivery of the material and suggest points for discussion.

 

Suggested delivery arrangements

 

Foundation Year doctors initial induction session (10 minutes) and a follow up session covering sections 1-4 during their initial hospital placement (45-60 minutes), both delivered by the AMT.

 

Hospital pharmacists - peer review session(s) for junior pharmacists delivered by antimicrobial pharmacist or other specialist pharmacist.

 

Nursing and midwifery staff - learning session(s) delivered by practice development teachers.

 

Primary care staff - session covering sections 1-3 and 5-6 delivered by prescribing advisers or primary care pharmacists during GP practice visits or at Protected Learning Time sessions.

 

 

 



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