Tackling the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance by engaging nurses in antibiotic stewardship: building capacity through a Brazil-UK collaboration.

Microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, are able to develop resistance to medicines (antimicrobials), which leads to failure in therapy to fight infections. This antimicrobial resistance is currently considered the most challenging threat for both human and animal life. Therefore, tackling antimicrobial resistance is a high priority for the World Health Organisation. A global action plan on antimicrobial resistance was endorsed at the World Health Assembly in May 2015. Nurses worldwide should play their role in this global action by safeguarding antimicrobials; a practice we call antimicrobial stewardship. However, there is still a lack of evidence about how nurses should fulfil this role. This project intends to gather together international experts to design a research project aiming to strengthen the contribution of nurses to tackle antimicrobial resistance.