Assessing standards for prevention of early onset group B streptococcal (GBS) disease in Ireland.

One unit (5.2%) performs routine GBS screening at 35-37 weeks of gestation. Twelve units (63%) screen for GBS following spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM) after 37 weeks, of which two (17%) perform PCR and ten (83%) culture testing. Seventeen units (89.3%) have access to a GeneXpert PCR machine, and of these, two (11.7%) use the machine for rapid GBS testing. Two units screen patients for GBS at either the start of labour or induction of labour. Four units (21%) use the neonatal early onset sepsis (EOS) calculator. Sixteen units (84%) do not treat asymptomatic infants born to GBS-positive mothers.  CONCLUSION: There is a lack of consistency in the methods for GBS screening and disease prevention across the country, highlighting the need for a national guideline accompanied by an implementation plan and budget to standardise care.