OBJECTIVE: To assess the patient information process before sputum sample collection, the quality of sputum sample and transmission of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination results to TB suspects, in three local areas of Nicaragua. METHODS: (a) directed interviews of consecutive series of TB suspects whose sputum had been examined for AFB; (b) directed interview of health personnel; and (c) assessment of the sputum sample quality. RESULTS: A total of 115 TB suspects and 33 health personnel were interviewed and 625 sputum samples were assessed. Results show multiple weaknesses in the process of information to the patient during sputum collections, as well as in the communication of results. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveiled an aspect usually overlooked of case finding, that is, the information process during sputum production, sputum sample quality, and the communication of results to the TB suspects. The results illustrate the need for routine assessment of the whole diagnostic process.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the patient information process before sputum sample collection, the quality of sputum sample and transmission of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination results to TB suspects, in three local areas of Nicaragua. METHODS: (a) directed interviews of consecutive series of TB suspects whose sputum had been examined for AFB; (b) directed interview of health personnel; and (c) assessment of the sputum sample quality. RESULTS: A total of 115 TB suspects and 33 health personnel were interviewed and 625 sputum samples were assessed. Results show multiple weaknesses in the process of information to the patient during sputum collections, as well as in the communication of results. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveiled an aspect usually overlooked of case finding, that is, the information process during sputum production, sputum sample quality, and the communication of results to the TB suspects. The results illustrate the need for routine assessment of the whole diagnostic process.
Authors: Robert Blakemore; Pamela Nabeta; Amy L Davidow; Viral Vadwai; Rasim Tahirli; Vanisha Munsamy; Mark Nicol; Martin Jones; David H Persing; Doris Hillemann; Sabine Ruesch-Gerdes; Felicity Leisegang; Carlos Zamudio; Camilla Rodrigues; Catharina C Boehme; Mark D Perkins; David Alland Journal: Am J Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2011-11-01 Impact factor: 21.405
Authors: Amélia Nunes Sicsú; Julia Ignez Salem; Luciana Botinelly Mendonça Fujimoto; Roxana Isabel Cardozo Gonzales; Maria do Socorro de Lucena Cardoso; Pedro Fredemir Palha Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2016-06-07
Authors: Lilian Bulage; Joseph Imoko; Bruce J Kirenga; Terry Lo; Henry Byabajungu; Keneth Musisi; Moses Joloba; Emily Bloss Journal: J Tuberc Res Date: 2015-09