Evaluation of laboratory care provided to patients with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis seeking public health services in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2012 - Volkart Sidegum, Daniele Susana; Cardozo Gonzales, Roxana Isabel; Harter, Jenifer; Cardoso Scherer, Luciene; Pilecco, Flavia B. (Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 2015)
OBJECTIVE: to describe the time interval between identification of patients with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis and laboratory test results release, and between lab results release and commencement of treatment. METHODS: this was a descriptive study with data on patients suspected of having tuberculosis who attended public health services in Canoas-RS, Brazil, in 2012. RESULTS: tests were performed in 1138 patients and positivity rate was 7.47%; medians between (i) patient identification and the sample entering the lab and (ii) processing time were 2 days (Interquartile Range [IQR] 1-3) and 3 days (IQR 1-4), respectively, for people with negative result; for patients who tested positive, these times were 2 days (IQR 1-3) and2.5 days (IQR 1-4), and the time between release of test results and commencement of treatment was 3 days (IQR 0-5). CONCLUSION: time intervals were considered long when compared to those recommended by the Ministry of Health.
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Keywords: newspaperArticle; Delayed Diagnosis; Health Services Evaluation; Tuberculosis