Stephen Platts

• MBBS
• Management of Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus bacteraemia in Newcastle Trust Hospitals.

Staphylococcus Aureus (S. Aureus) is a bacterium, commonly found on the surface of the skin. Patients both in the community and in hospital can be at risk of this pathogen breaking through the skin’s natural defence and infecting the blood, a bacteraemia. Much has been written about the antibiotic resistant strains of S. Aureus but the antibiotic sensitive genus is no less virulent. Given the mortality associated with this species, good clinical management is essential to ensure a positive outcome, especially given the vulnerability of some in-patient populations. Data on S. Aureus infections has been gathered on these types of infections within Newcastle Trust Hospitals. A retrospective study was designed and conducted to appraise current management of S. Aureus bacteraemia against guidelines including diagnostic activities and length of antibiotic treatments.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Supervisor: Dr Ulrich Schwab