Understanding changes in the standardized antimicrobial administration ratio for total antimicrobial use after implementation of prospective audit and feedback.

In this single-center study, the standardized antimicrobial administration ratio (SAAR) for total antimicrobial use decreased in response to a stewardship intervention. Antimicrobial prescribing and clinical outcomes were stable or improved during the period of lower SAARs. Our findings suggest that SAAR values of ~0.8 can be safely achieved.