Surveillance of bloodstream infections in Belgian hospitals ('SEP')-Annual report 2017, Data up to and including 2016

Conclusions - key points

• Participation in the surveillance of HA-BSI is mandatory since 2014. There is an increase in the proportion of hospitals contributing data for the entire year (64% in 2016).
• The incidence of HA-BSI, at 7.8/10,000 patient-days, has changed little in the last years, and findings are fairly consistent:
  • Higher incidence in tertiary hospitals
  • Higher incidence in ICU (in 2016, about four times higher incidence in ICU than the one found hospital-wide)
  • There is a large variation in HA-BSI incidence between hospitals. This suggests a potential for prevention and/or a need for data validation.
  • Compared to 2013 the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections decreased. Among HA-BSI in 2016, 40% HA-BSI were directly (CL – 23%) or indirectly (urinary catheter or endotracheal tube) associated with an invasive device. These infections associated with invasive devices are a priority target for prevention.
  • The most common microorganisms isolated from HA-BSI were E. coli and S. aureus. Since 2000, the incidence of HA-BSI with E. coli and K. pneumonia has increased.
• Since 2013, methicillin resistance in S. aureus has decreased, while resistance to third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in K. pneumoniae has increased.