VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS INFECTION

89 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010). What is the current rate per 1,000 for admitted patients of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus infection in—

(a) all South Australian public hospitals;

(b) public hospitals in rural and remote Areas;

(c) the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, and Lyell McEwen Hospital, respectively; and

(d) the Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Berri and Mount Gambier Hospitals, respectively?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

The Department of Health monitors the rate of health care associated Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci infection in public acute care hospitals. This does not include all of the smaller rural and remote facilities, where health care associated infection with this organism is extremely rare.

Rates are expressed per 1,000 patient-day, rather than admissions, which is in line with national definitions.

The current rates for the hospitals named are as follows: