The intended and unintended impacts of antimicrobial stewardship interventions, baseline antibiotic use, and expected degree of change are key considerations when implementing metrics. Actual consumption is documented in HCFs using medication administration records, however, there is no overarching mechanism to capture this information for outpatient prescribing. Antibiotic use estimates are based on drug sales, prescription and dispensing data, and this data may not accurately reflect actual usage in the outpatient setting.

Brad Langford, PharmD and Valerie Leung, PharmD, ASP Leads at Public Health Ontario

BSAC's JAC AMR Journal
September 3, 2021