Preserving antibiotic efficacy

With up to 85% of prescribing of antibiotics in England taking place in primary care and community settings, nurses working in these settings are in a unique position to drive the preservation of one of the most precious commodities on our planet. Nurses have a valuable opportunity to provide one-to-one education and support in two key areas to all sections of the community, from parents of young children to the elderly, from members of the public to health professionals. First, around preventing infection from occurring in the first place, thus negating the need for antibiotics and, secondly, around ensuring that when infection does occur it is managed effectively from the start.