South Australian expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (SAAGAR)

The South Australian expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (SAAGAR) was established in 2008 to oversee and support the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in South Australia

Antimicrobial Guidelines

A key function of SAAGAR is to review and promote the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials. This is achieved by fostering the development and review of antimicrobial guidelines for statewide use, as well as considering and responding to antimicrobial utilisation surveillance reports provided by the National Antimicrobial Utilisation Surveillance Program.

Other key resources developed by SAAGAR

As well as the antimicrobial guidelines, SAAGAR also produce:

Meetings

SAAGAR is one of SA Health’s medicines committees, accountable to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing via the South Australian Medicines Advisory Committee (SAMAC).

The SAAGAR Terms of Reference (PDF 272KB) is reviewed by the committee annually to ensure ongoing relevance of the committee structure and function.

SAAGAR is scheduled to meet five times per year. 2023 dates are as scheduled:

  • Tuesday 14 February
  • Tuesday 18 April
  • Tuesday 20 June
  • Tuesday 8 August
  • Tuesday 10 October

Membership

SAAGAR membership consists of individuals with infectious diseases, pharmacy and microbiology expertise, and includes representation from each of SA Health’s Local Health Network (LHN) AMS Committees and private hospital organisations. Other members include representatives from public health, safety and quality and information technology.

Local Health Network Antimicrobial Stewardship committees

The AMS committee within each LHN provide local governance and oversight of stewardship activities within their respective health services. Please e-mail HealthAntibio@sa.gov.au for details. 

Annual Report

The 2021-2022 SAAGAR Annual Report (PDF 430KB) is available to view.

Previous Annual Reports

The 2020-2021 SAAGAR Annual Report (PDF 323KB) is available to view.

The 2019-2020 SAAGAR Annual Report (PDF 482KB) is available to view.

The 2018-2019 SAAGAR Annual Report (PDF 209KB) is available to view.

The 2017-2018 SAAGAR Annual Report (PDF 586KB) is available to view.

Further information

For further information on the SA expert Advisory Group on Antimicrobial Resistance SAAGAR, contact HealthAntibio@sa.gov.au