Mr Matthew Mcquilty1, Dr Craig Thompson1, Mrs Corinne Miles1, Professor Ross Andrews1, Mrs Michelle Doidge1,2, Mrs Belinda Henderson1,2,3
1Queensland Health, Herston, Australia, 2ACIPC, Hobart, Australia, 3WHO – GOARN, Geneva, Switzerland
Biography:
Matthew is a Clinical Nurse Consultant with the Queensland Infection Prevention and Control Unit (QIPCU) at Queensland Health. With nearly 20 years of experience as a registered nurse, his career spans frontline infectious diseases alongside specialised expertise in infection prevention and control.
Abstract:
Background
Bloodstream infections (BSIs) cause significant patient harm and increased healthcare costs worldwide. While Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are endemic in Australia, the specific clinical burden within Queensland (QLD) public hospitals requires further quantification. The cost of sepsis-related admissions is estimated at more than $711,000,000 per year across Australia, partly due to increased length of stay (LOS).
Methods
A retrospective analysis of VRE and CPE data was conducted using Multiprac™, the statewide surveillance system utilised by Queensland Health facilities. Records, predominantly related to healthcare-associated infection over a twelve-year period, were included. The study identified total colonisations and BSIs, excluding any repeat positive cultures within a 14-day window. As a secondary measure of burden, LOS data for VRE and CPE colonisations and infections were compared with all available LOS data in Multiprac™.
Results
The analysis determined the proportion of BSIs that were the outcome of colonisation for both VRE (0.9%) and CPE (2.6%). The average LOS for all patients with available data in Multiprac™ was compared to that of those with confirmed BSIs caused by VRE and CPE. LOS was increased for both VRE (24.3 days) and CPE (33.5 days) BSIs compared to the average LOS for all conditions of 7.4 days.
Conclusion
Although VRE and CPE BSI incidence remains relatively low, the individual patient harm and systemic costs are substantial. The findings from this analysis underscore the critical role of infection prevention and control in mitigating high-impact, low-frequency healthcare-associated infections.