Audit of treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. National guidelines recommend that a minimum of 14 days of antibiotics should be used to treat uncomplicated bacteraemia. Five hospitals in the East Midlands region conducted a retrospective audit to assess compliance to these guidelines before and after the introduction of extra text to laboratory reports of S. aureus bacteraemia advising clinicians on the minimum length of treatment. Introduction of this extra text resulted in an increase in compliance with the national recommendation from 44% to 60%. This increase in compliance was noted in both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (45% versus 58%) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (42% versus 62%) bacteraemia. This audit demonstrated a simple and effective intervention that has improved the treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition.