Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: Factors Predicting Hospital Mortality

Among 89 episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, factors identified as independent predictors of hospital mortality were Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score >60 (odds ratio [OR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [$CI_{95}$], 1.7 to 5.9) and Lifestyle score >1 (OR, 2.1; $CI_{95}$, 1.2 to 3.6). Future studies of S aureus bacteremia should take into consideration acute severity of illness (as well as treatment and source of infection) when evaluating outcome.