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To evaluate the appropriateness of antimicrobial treatment and the risk factors for mortality in patients with negative blood cultures (BC), in order to evaluate whether this population would be a suitable target for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions. A multicentre prospective cohort study of patients with negative BC in three Spanish hospitals between October 2018 and July 2019 was performed. The main endpoints were the appropriateness of antimicrobial treatment (evaluated by two investigators according to local guidelines) and 30-day mortality. Cox-regression was performed to estimate the association between variables and 30-day mortality. Of 1011 patients in whom BC was obtained, these were negative in 803 (79%) and were included; 30-day mortality was 9% (70 patients); antibiotic treatment was considered inappropriate in 299 (40%) of 747 patients evaluated at day 2, and in 266 (46%) of 573 at day 5–7. The variables independently associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality were higher age (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03–1.07), neoplasia (HR 2.73; 95% CI 1.64–4.56), antibiotic treatment in the 48 h prior to BC extraction (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.23–3.43) and insufficient antibiotic coverage at day 2 after BC obtainment (HR 2.35; 95% CI 1.39–4.00). Urinary, catheter and biliary sources of infection were associated with lower risk (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.20–0.81). Antimicrobial treatment is frequently inappropriate among patients with negative BC; insufficient antibiotic coverage at day 2 was associated with mortality. These results suggest that patients with negative BC are a suitable population for AS interventions. Antimicrobial treatment in patients with negative blood culture was frequently inappropriate, and inappropriate coverage at day 2 was associated with increased risk of death. These data support the consideration of this population as a potential target for antimicrobial stewardship interventions. • Patients with negative blood culture represent 80% of patients from whom a blood culture is obtained. • Antimicrobial treatment is frequently inappropriate among patients with negative blood culture. • Insufficient antibiotic coverage at day 2 was associated with mortality in patients with negative blood culture. • Patients with negative blood culture are a suitable population for antimicrobial stewardship interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]