PUBLIC hospitals have reported a reduction of golden staph bloodstream infections in the 2019/20 period.
The national rate of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (SABSI) in public hospitals is still under the benchmark, according to a report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Golden staph bacteria are commonly found on skin and in the nose, but can develop into a serious infection if they enter the bloodstream.
Golden staph infections of the bloodstream can be linked to hospital care, specifically surgery and the use of indwelling medical devices.
According to the report, there were 1,428 cases of SABSI reported in Australian public hospitals in the 2019-20 period, a reduction from the 1,573 cases reported in 2018-19.
While rates of SABSI differed throughout the states and territories, rates in all jurisdictions were below the national benchmark of 2.0 cases per 10,000 days of patient care.
However rates were higher than the national average in large and children's hospitals.
These hospitals provide a broad range of services and are more likely to treat patients who may be at high risk of contracting a SABSI.
AIHW spokesperson Heather Swanston said 83 per cent of cases had been successfully treated with commonly used antibiotics.
"Over the five years to 2019-20, the proportion of cases resistant to common antibiotics decreased from 19 per cent to 17 per cent," Dr Swanston said.
Dr Swanston said the national benchmark had changed to 1.0 cases per 10,000 patient days from July 1 last year, reflecting improvements to SABSI rates across Australia.
To read the report click here.