Antibacterial Ag-doped hydroxyapatite/polylactic acid(HA/PLA) composite coatings are rarely studied as implant coatings in recent years. Ag-doped hydroxyapatite (HA) powders were synthesized by chemical precipitation with different initial molar ratios of [Ag]/[Ca] (0(pure HA), 0.001, 0.003 and 0.005), and sintered in air at 800 degrees C. And then Ag-doped HA/PLA coatings were formed on stainless steel substrates by spin-coating technique for the first time. The obtained products were examined by the techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that the doped Ag ions entered the crystal lattice of apatite successfully, but Ag3PO4 was also formed as the initial ratio of [Ag]/[Ca] increased. XPS suggested that some Ag3PO4 was then decomposed into metallic Ag in the high-temperature sintering process. Moreover, the addition of PLA could help form uniform composite coatings. The antibacterial activity of Ag-doped HA powders and Ag-doped HA/PLA composite coatings was also tested and showed a significant antibacterial property (bactericidal efficiency in 24h over 85%) while having low content of Ag. The results indicated both Ag-doped powders and composite coatings would be potential antibacterial materials for future applications.