Retrospective study of 311 cases of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia with vascular access devices compared to ethnicity: Incidence in Waikato New Zealand from 2008-2018

Aim: To document retrospectively whether New Zealand (NZ) Māori have a higher incidence of health associated (HA)staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) with a vascular-access-device (VAD) compared to other ethnicities in Waikato District Health Board (WDHB). Methods: From the 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2018, all ages of inpatients with a VAD HA-SAB in one District Health Board (DHB) were retrospectively studied. All data was obtained from the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) SAB records and analysed. Results: The study period of eleven years identified 311 VAD HA-SABs. The overall statistical hypothesis testing of VAD HA-SABs were P=0.175. A greater proportion of VAD HA-SABs occurred in the renal population at a rate of 35.7% (111). Renal representation of ethnic groups with a VAD HA-SAB were Non-NZ Māori 52.86% and Māori 47.14%. Peripheral VAD had greater percentage of incidence of VAD HA-SAB. Conclusions: Māori renal patients with VAD’s in WDHB experienced increased incidence of HA-SABs from 2008-2018 in comparison to other ethnic populations. Māori renal patients are 3 ½ times more likely to suffer VAD HA-SAB than Non-Māori patients. NZ data for VAD HA-SABS requires IPC teams to include ethnicity and provide a standardised, correct diagnosis of a VAD HA-SABS. NZ health strategies need to ask well directed questions in order to progress toward equitable health outcomes.