Comparison of metrics of neonatal intensive care unit antibiotic use

DOT and AUR were comparable measures of antibiotic consumption, both showing significant declines. ASI exhibited the least variability, reflecting more consistency in antibiotic selection. The similarity in dispersion and decline between AUR and DOT suggests that neonatal antibiotic exposure is primarily influenced by initiation and discontinuation decisions rather than regimen complexity. Given its ease of calculation, AUR may be the most practical metric for evaluating the impact of antibiotic stewardship interventions at the center level.