Provincial surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in Quebec: surveillance protocol

This protocol concerns the reporting procedures for the provincial surveillance program for bacteremia at Staphylococcus aureus methicillin resistant.

In January 2003, laboratory surveillance of bacteremia at Staphylococcus aureus carried out by the Quebec Public Health Laboratory (LSPQ). This surveillance was transferred to the INSPQ in 2006, allowing more information to be collected on the origin of bacteremia. In 2007, it became a mandatory provincial surveillance program (SPIN BAC-SA). The SPIN-BAC-SA (SPIN-SARM) program committee, under the leadership of the INSPQ SPIN committee, has the mandate to develop, maintain, analyze and issue recommendations for this surveillance.

Since the 90s, the Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen in Quebec healthcare facilities, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. MRSA prevention and control measures were implemented in the various facilities and monitoring has since allowed us to note a gradual reduction in MRSA bacteremia.