Ms. Fiona Wilson1, Ms. Karen Turnbull1, Ms. Juanita Watson1, Dr Alison Ratcliff2
1Public Health Services, Department Of Health, Tasmania, Australia, Hobart, Australia, 2Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, Australia
Biography:
Fiona Wilson has a background in infectious diseases nursing and has been working in Infection Prevention and Control since 1997 in Victoria and Tasmania. Fiona is currently a Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Tasmanian Infection Prevention and Control Unit within Public Health Services in the Department of Health, Tasmania.
Abstract:
Introduction:
Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infection (SABSI) has been notifiable in Tasmania under the Public Health Act (1997) since 2008. We describe the epidemiology of SABSI notifications over ten years from 2014 to 2023 inclusive.
Methods:
We undertook basic descriptive analysis of all confirmed SABSI cases with a specimen collection date of 1 January 2014 to 31 Dec 2023 by whether they were healthcare associated (HCA) or community associated (CA), and whether the HCA were associated with intravenous devices (IVDs). Annual notification rates were determined using Australian Bureau of Statistics population data.
Results:
Between 2014 to 2023, there were 1672 SABSI notifications in Tasmania. There was an average of 167 notifications per annum (range 138 – 229 per annum). The average notification rate was 31/100,000 population per year (range 27 – 40/100,000 population/year). Notifications were stable until increases in 2022 and 2023. Notifications (n=229) and notification rates (40/100,000 population) were the highest in 2023 since surveillance commenced.
The average proportion of HCA (32%) and CA SABSI (68%) was stable over the reporting period.
IVDs accounted for approximately half of all HCA SABSI per annum. The proportion of peripheral IVD (PIVD) related HCA SABSI increased from 12% in 2014 to 73% in 2023. This increase is likely due to increased case ascertainment as well as a true increase.
Conclusions:
Notifications of SABSI in Tasmania are the highest they have been since surveillance commenced. The relative contribution of CA and HCA SABSI remains consistent. PIVC attribution amongst HCA SABSI has increased.