Hospital Performance: Healthcare-associated Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in 2013–14

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), commonly known as ‘Golden Staph’, is a bacterium often found on the skin of healthy people and is relatively harmless unless it causes infection. Most cases can be treated by antibiotics. However, there are more serious antibiotic-resistant strains. Estimates suggest 20 to 35% of people who experience healthcare-associated S. aureus bloodstream infections die from this or a related cause.

This publication was originally published by the National Health Performance Authority, which transferred its activities to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on 1 July 2016.