Inappropriate antimicrobial use can lead to adverse consequences, including antimicrobial resistance.

Of all prescribed antimicrobials (n = 15,831) in our residential aged-care facilities, 27.1% (n = 4871) were for prophylactic use; the most common body system for which a prophylactic antimicrobial was prescribed was the urinary tract (54.3%).

Immediate antimicrobial stewardship strategies that aim to improve prophylactic antimicrobial prescribing are required.