Healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (HA SABSI)

Staphylococcus aureus or golden staph is bacteria (germs) commonly found on the skin. The bacteria from a patient's skin or from healthcare workers’ hands can gain direct entry into the patient’s bloodstream through open wounds, surgery or the insertion of devices such as intravenous lines (IV drips).

When golden staph infections occur, they’re known as healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (HA-SABSI).

Monitoring HA-SABSIs is important because they can be serious, result in a longer hospital stay and require patients to be treated with antibiotics.

As many of these infections are considered preventable, keeping track of them helps hospitals improve patient safety.

Patients who have a greater risk of HA-SABSI are those with weakened immune systems associated with cancer, or with organ transplants, or with being very young or elderly, have chronic diseases such as diabetes, or severe underlying illness.

Patients who get a HA-SABSI are also more likely to suffer from other health impacts.

Lower numbers are better, as they indicate reduced rates or numbers of infections.

These data show that in WA, we have succeeded in staying below the target, indicating that our care exceeds the standards set nationally.

About the data

The figures below show the number or rate of HA-SABSIs across public hospitals in the given financial years.

Nationally, a target rate of no more than 1 infection per 10,000 bed days is set and this is shown by the dark green line. We measure infections per 10,000 bed days to enable comparisons with national rates.

The data includes results for all patients who were admitted to a public hospital, for any duration and any reason.