These resources can be used to support monitoring of the indicators recommended in the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard. Clinicians and health services can use the indicators to monitor implementation of the quality statements, and support local quality improvement activities in line with NSQHS Standards. Actions 3.18 and 3.19.
A patient with suspected sepsis has blood cultures taken immediately, ensuring that this does not delay the administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. When signs of infection-related organ dysfunction are present, appropriate antimicrobials are started within 60 minutes. Antimicrobial therapy is managed in line with the Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard, including a review within 48 hours from the first dose.
Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis is the use of antimicrobials to prevent infections that may occur as a result of a surgical procedure. This page provides information on the appropriateness of this prescribing.
Quality statement 8 - Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Care Standard
A patient having surgery or a procedure is prescribed antimicrobial prophylaxis in accordance with the current Therapeutic Guidelines or evidence-based, locally endorsed guidelines. This includes recommendations about the need for prophylaxis, choice of antimicrobial, dose, route and timing of administration, and duration.
The Commission’s Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) Project contributes to the national program for surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance in human health across Australia.
AURA 2023 includes data and analyses from 2020–2022 (primarily 2020–2021) and reports on patterns and trends in antimicrobial use and appropriateness and antimicrobial resistance in Australian acute and community healthcare settings.
Released on 16 November 2023.
