IngentaConnect Tuberculosis at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital: an intervention ...

Authors: Edginton, M.E.¹; Wong, M.L.²; Hodkinson, H.J.³

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 10, Number 9, September 2006 , pp. 1018-1022(5)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: A study in 2001 described the process of managing tuberculosis (TB) at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, the numbers of patients diagnosed and poor outcomes of referring patients to clinics in the adjacent sub-districts. The present study describes and evaluates an intervention to address the problems.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the intervention process (education and referral of TB patients) and the subsequent results over a 2-year period from 2003 to 2005.

METHODS: The process of establishing the system and how it was evaluated at district clinics in Johannesburg are described.

RESULTS: In the first 2 years of operation, August 2003 to July 2005, 13138 patients were registered. Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) was diagnosed in 34%. Of the 46% tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 93% were positive. Successful referral to clinics was achieved for 94% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Very large numbers of patients are diagnosed with TB at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. A TB care centre has successfully addressed important referral, education and registration requirements for the comprehensive management of TB with links to clinics. It is suggested that this model be applied at other hospitals.

Keywords: tuberculosis; hospital; referral; registration; education

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 2: Division of Pulmonology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa 3: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Tuberculosis at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital: an intervention to improve patient referrals to district clinics