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.