Early-onset group B streptococcus prevention protocols in New Zealand public hospitals.
OBJECTIVE
Determine group B streptococcus (GBS) prevention protocols.


METHODS
Questionnaire survey of 19 hospitals accounting for 73% of New Zealand births.


RESULTS
Prevention policies were reported by 16 (84%) hospitals (bacteriological-screening n = 4, risk-factor determination n = 8, both strategies n = 4). Only five out of 12 (42%) centres using risk-assessment administered antibiotics for all high-risk criteria. Inadequate specimen collection and culture methods meant no hospital maximised culture-based strategies. Nevertheless, hospitals with prevention policies had lower early-onset GBS disease rates (0.46 versus 1.44 per 1,000 births; OR 0.32; (95% CI 0.12, 0.98)).


CONCLUSIONS
Prevention strategies can be further improved by hospitals fully implementing nationally agreed guidelines.
Gosling
Isobelle A
IA
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, New Zealand.
Stone
Peter R
PR
Grimwood
Keith
K
D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires