Miss Ivy Spurr1, Dr Lyn-Li Lim1,2,3,4, Professor N. Deborah Friedman1,2,3,4
1University Of Melbourne, , Australia, 2Victorian Healthcare-Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS), Melbourne, Australia, 3Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia, 4Doherty Institute, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Ivy is a final year medical student at the University of Melbourne.
Abstract:
Introduction
Healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (HA-SAB) is a significant cause of morbidity, mortality and costs. HA-SABs are a nationally reported quality indicator in Australian hospitals, with a target of <1 event per 10,000 occupied bed days (OBDs). Medical devices, including peripheral intravenous cannulae (PIVC) are an important source of HA-SAB. This study describes the PIVC-associated SAB (PIVC-SAB) incidence in Victorian hospitals, PIVC insertion, maintenance and removal processes and assessed preventability.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of HA-SAB and PIVC-SAB surveillance data submitted to the Victorian Healthcare-Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2025. Preventability was reported by hospitals using a standardised approach.
Results
From 2016 to 2025, 1177 PIVC-SAB events were reported. HA-SAB incidence decreased from 0.86 to 0.66 events per 10,000 OBDs, while PIVC-SAB incidence rate remained stable with an average of 0.17 per 10,000 OBDs. PIVC-SABs have accounted for an increasing proportion of HA-SABs (21.8% to 27.6%). 28.1% of PIVC-SABs were classified as highly preventable and 59.6% as possibly preventable. 100% of healthcare facilities had a time-based policy for PIVC removal. 57.3% of PIVCs were inserted by nurses, 41.2% inserted into the cubital fossa, 42.2% inserted on their first attempt, and 54.1% labelled correctly, with insertion date and time.
Conclusion
Rates of HA-SAB have declined in Victorian hospitals and are sustained below the national target. Rates of PIVC-SAB have not fallen, contributing to an increasing proportion of HA-SAB. A significant proportion of PIVC-SABs are preventable.