RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Audit of treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia JF Clinical Medicine JO Clin Med FD Royal College of Physicians SP 266 OP 269 DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-3-266 VO 10 IS 3 A1 V Wong A1 R Wariyar A1 V Weston A1 WJ Olver A1 E Youngs A1 A Hussain A1 N Perera A1 A Swann YR 2010 UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/10/3/266.abstract AB Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. National guidelines recommend that a minimum of 14 days of antibiotics should be used to treat uncomplicated bacteraemia. Five hospitals in the East Midlands region conducted a retrospective audit to assess compliance to these guidelines before and after the introduction of extra text to laboratory reports of S. aureus bacteraemia advising clinicians on the minimum length of treatment. Introduction of this extra text resulted in an increase in compliance with the national recommendation from 44% to 60%. This increase in compliance was noted in both methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (45% versus 58%) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (42% versus 62%) bacteraemia. This audit demonstrated a simple and effective intervention that has improved the treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition.