Adithi Ramachandra1, Duangmanee (Fon) Seedam1, Mr Philip Rawson-Harris, Denise Delrosario-Kelly1, Matthew Hacket1, Shirley Leong1, Pauline Bass1, Dr Andrew Stewardson1,2
1Alfred Health, Australia, 2Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Adithi is a Clinical Audit Data Officer at the Alfred Infectious Diseases Unit. She has postgraduate qualifications in biostatistics and a strong interest in improving healthcare through data-focused approaches. Outside work, she enjoys scuba diving, travelling, and getting lost in a good book.
Abstract:
Introduction Infection Prevention (IP) in collaboration with the Epidemiology and Data Management Service implemented an automated Staphylococcus aureus Bacteraemia (SAB) Signal Event Letter (SEL) process. Healthcare-associated SABs triggered a SEL to the responsible team requesting case investigation. Reminders were automatically sent if unanswered and saved to the case on Day 7, 14 and 21 (Reminder 1, 2 and Overdue). This process was manual prior to 2023 and required a considerable amount of time investment by IP generating standardised letters and follow-up reminders. An optional Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC) investigation checklist was also provided when relevant. We aim to describe SEL response rates to demonstrate the time saved by automation and explore the use of the PIVC tool.
Methods
Trends in resolution timelines were reviewed for SELs sent in January 2023 to April 2025.
Results
Of the 98 SELs sent 55 cases (56%) were resolved without requiring any reminders. However, 43 (44%) required Reminder 1. Of these, 15 (15%) proceeded to Reminder 2, and 12 (12%) became overdue and remained unanswered. The median time to resolution across all cases was 13.9 days, ranging from 0 to 56 days. Of 22 cases with a PIVC-related SAB, 13 used the tool.
Conclusion
Almost half of all SELs required further reminders, but this dropped drastically after the first and second prompting. SEL automation has reduced the administrative time required for IP. The PIVC investigation tool was used by over half of all PIVC events providing care teams with stepwise guidance on investigation without IP.