A collection of data, usually in the form of a table, summarising the percentage of individual bacterial pathogens susceptible to different antimicrobial agents.

The quantity of antimicrobial drugs imported, manufactured and/or sold for use in human or veterinary medicine in a country. It is typically expressed as the defined daily dose (DDD).

Resistance that is innate or acquired by a microbe (most often, a bacterium) to any compound that is designed to kill it or inhibit its growth. Several different mechanisms of AMR exist. The phrase is also used to describe any pathogen that is less susceptible than its counterparts to a specific antimicrobial compound.

A multi-disciplinary, systematic approach to optimising the use of antimicrobials to improve patient outcome and limit the emergence of resistant pathogens, whilst ensuring patient safety.

A prompt to re-evaluate a patient’s empiric antimicrobial treatment after a specified time period.

The quantity of antimicrobial drugs prescribed or administered to an individual person or animal, or group of animals (such as a herd or flock), measured at the level of healthcare facility, farm, region or country. It is typically measured as kg of antibiotics.

The number of days that antimicrobial therapy is given for (a measure of antimicrobial consumption).

The discontinuation of one or more components of combination empirical therapy, and/or the change from a broad-spectrum to a narrower spectrum antimicrobial based on laboratory reports.

A unit of measurement of antimicrobial administration, defined as the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults.

The evidence-based utilisation of diagnostic tests, with the primary goals of improving value and care quality, and safely reducing cost (Madden et al., 2018).

Coordinated systems or user-based interventions designed to promote the evidence-based utilisation of diagnostic tests, with the primary goals of improving value and care quality, and safely reducing cost (Madden et al., 2018).

A scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers (WHO, n.d. 1).

A quantitative measure of the sensitivity of particular microbes to an antibiotic. It is defined as the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that inhibits the visible growth of a microorganism.  It is often expressed in micrograms per millilitre (μg/ml) or milligrams per litre (mg/L).

The relationship between the serum concentration and the pharmacological (mechanism of action) and toxicological effects of drugs.

What the body does to a drug. Pharmacokinetic parameters include absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination. 

The proportion of people with a particular characteristic at a certain point in time. It is determined by taking the total number of people with the characteristic divided by the total number of people in the population of interest. An antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) PPS measures the number of people taking antimicrobials at a given point in time.