Healthcare associated infections

Victorian health services are dedicated to delivering safe, efficient and effective healthcare to the community.

A patient can develop an infection (e.g. golden staph) while receiving treatment in hospital and suffer serious consequences (e.g. prolonged hospital stay or even death). These infections can potentially be preventable.

Tap the buttons below for specific data about healthcare associated infections in public hospitals in Victoria, including golden staph infection rates. You can filter by health service.

Scroll further down for more information about the data (measures).

About the data

The above measures look at:

  • rate of central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) in intensive care units, per 1,000 central line days
  • rate of S. aureus bacteraemias (golden staph) infections per 10,000 patient days.

About central line (catheter) associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in ICU

CLABSI infections can occur when a patient in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) develops an infection at the site in the body where a central line is placed.

Most infections can be prevented through proper insertion techniques and quality management and care.

Data show the number of bloodstream infections per 1,000 central line days.

The 2022-23 statewide target is 0 CLABSI infections in ICU units per 1,000 central line days. The 2023–24 statewide target has not been finalised.

About S. aureus bacteraemias (SAB) (golden staph) infections

Patients with SAB (golden staph) infections are more likely to experience complications and longer hospital stays.

Data show the number of infections per 10,000 patient/bed days (a day or part of a day a patient is admitted to hospital).

The 2022-23 statewide target is 0.7 or less SAB infections per 10,000 bed days. The 2023–24 statewide target has not been finalised.

Notes

  • Data source: Victorian Hospital Acquired Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS). Data extracted on 16 January 2024
  • Results are lagged by one quarter
  • Results for the SAB infections measure are suppressed (displayed as NP) when patient/bed days were less than or equal to 5,000 in the reporting period
  • Results for the current financial year are preliminary and may change from quarter to quarter, final results will be available in November. Results from the previous financial year have been finalised
  • * No results are available
  • On 23 February 2023, Monash Health opened the Victorian Heart Hospital.
  • Care needs to be taken when assessing results and comparing to prior periods.