Dr Rosanne Barnes1, Dr Penny Clohessy1, Mr Joel Parke1, Dr Mariyam Athifa1, Ms Inutu Kashina1, Dr Paul Armstrong2, Ms Rebecca McCann1 Lisa Nicolaou
1Infection Prevention Policy and Surveillance Unit, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, WA Department of Health, East Perth, Australia
2Communicable Disease Control Directorate, East Perth, Australia
Introduction: We aimed to examine surveillance data on Staphylococcus aureus blood stream infections (SABSIs) reported to Western Australian (WA) public hospitals in a five-year retrospective study from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2021.
Methods: We used infection and bed-day denominator information from the Healthcare Infection Surveillance of Western Australia (HISWA) database to examine healthcare-associated SABSI (HA-SABSI) and detailed SABSI validation database to examine HA-SABSI and community-associated SABSI (CA-SABSI). Peripheral intravenous cannula (PIVC) time-in-situ data for patients with SABSI were collected by HISWA from 1 July 2019. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with SABSI.
Results: A total of 2,505 SABSIs were reported over the period, 603 HA-SABSIs and 1,902 CA-SABSIs. Infection numbers were higher for males and adults aged ≥70 years. Annual HA-SABSI rates were stable over the period (range = 0.67-0.81 SABSIs per 10,000 bed-days). Half of HA-SABSIs were associated with use of an intravenous (IV) device and 20% were procedure related. Patients with non-IV device-related HA-SABSIs had higher odds of 30-day all-cause mortality. Other risk factors included male, age ≥70 years and onset of infection ≥48 hours. Time-in-situ data indicated that of the 63 PIVC-associated SABSI 43% had a time-in-situ <72 hours, 20% ≥72 hours and 36% unknown.
Conclusion: Based on five years’ surveillance data, WA HA-SABSI rates have remained stable. Most HA-SABSIs are associated with IV-device use or are procedure-related, and therefore preventable. There is currently insufficient WA PIVC time-in-situ data to examine associations with infection and mortality.
Biography: Dr Barnes works as an infectious disease epidemiologist within the Infection Prevention Policy and Surveillance Unit, with over 12 years’ experience analysing large administrative and surveillance datasets. Her role as part of this team is contributing to the management of the State’s healthcare associated infection surveillance system and monitoring the rates of healthcare and community associated infections.