Table 5 Clinical quality-of-care indicators in patients presenting with S. aureus bacteremia (adapted from Cortes et al., CID 2013; 57, 1225–1233 [33])

Follow-up blood cultures

Repeat blood cultures performed 48 hours after antibiotic initiation regardless of clinical evolution

Early source control

Removal of non-permanent catheter if suspected or confirmed source within 72 hours; exclusion of metastatic foci of infection

Echocardiography in patients with clinical indications

Performance of echocardiography in complicated bacteremia or patients with predisposing conditions for endocarditis

Early use of intravenous cloxacillin for MSSA bacteremia

Definitive treatment with cloxacillin (2 g IV q6h) within 24 hours of culture sensitivities. In patients on HD, cefazolin 2 g after each dialysis session was acceptable

Adjustment of vancomycin dose according to trough levels

Trough levels obtained in all patients treated at least 3 days, with adjustment of dose to target trough level of 15-20 mg/L

Treatment duration according to complexity of infection

Duration at least 14 days in uncomplicated bacteremia and 28 days in complicated cases