Metrics of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs.

Appropriate metrics are needed to measure the quality, clinical, and financial impacts of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Metrics are typically categorized into antibiotic use measures, process measures, quality measures, costs, and clinical outcome measures. Traditionally, antimicrobial stewardship metrics have focused on antibiotic use, antibiotic costs, and process measures. With health care reform, practice should shift to focusing on clinical impact of stewardship programs over financial impact. This article reviews the various antimicrobial stewardship metrics that have been described in the literature, evidence to support these metrics, controversies surrounding metrics, and areas in which future research is necessary.