Nursing home nurses' opinion profiles on the potential evolution of their role in antimicrobial stewardship and associated factors: a national cross-sectional study in France.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is a major public health threat, especially in nursing homes (NHs). Nursing home nurses (NHNs) can play a crucial role in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), but research on their opinions regarding potential expanded AMS roles is limited.

Objectives: To identify different profiles of NHNs according to their opinions on the potential evolution of their AMS roles and to study facilitators/barriers to implementing new AMS roles and the demographic and professional characteristics associated with these profiles.

Methods: Data were collected from a national cross-sectional online survey conducted from May to July 2022 among French NHNs. Profiles were identified via hierarchical clustering. Factors associated with the identified profiles were studied via Fisher's exact tests.

Results: Among the 922 participants included in the analysis, three distinct profiles were identified. NHNs 'more favourable to the evolution of the AMS role' (40% of the sample) expressed strong support for the potential evolution of their AMS role. NHNs 'moderately favourable to the evolution of the AMS role' (46%) were less prone to reinforce discussion with general practitioners about antibiotic prescription. NHNs 'less favourable to the evolution of the AMS role' (14%) showed little or no agreement regarding several potential new AMS roles. Being a head nurse was associated with more favourable opinions on the evolution of the AMS role as opposed to practicing in NHs connected to a hospital.

Conclusions: These findings could help healthcare managers and policy-makers tailor the implementation of these new roles among NHNs, if they prove effective and safe.