Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients are associated with significant mortality.
Primary Staphylococcus aureus central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) did not differ in their mortality compared with non-CLABSIs.
Primary Staphylococcus aureus non–central line–associated bloodstream infections were associated with more bacteremic complications.
Infected peripheral intravenous catheters and midlines are the etiology of most non–central line–associated bloodstream infection Staphylococcus aureus bacteremias.