Gap analysis of tubercular suspect referrals to a diagnostic microscopy centre in a northern state of India.

Ajay Kumar Singh; Vidhu Vadini; Pramod Kumar Shridhar; Balbir Singh; Vandana Kumari

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

Gap analysis of tubercular suspect referrals to a diagnostic microscopy centre in a northern state of India.

Ajay Kumar Singh, Vidhu Vadini, Pramod Kumar Shridhar, Balbir Singh, Vandana Kumari

Abstract :

Sputum microscopy, the most reliable laboratory test for diagnosing Tuberculosis (TB) must be permanently accessible throughout the country and entails meticulous documentation. Recording and reporting from the TB laboratory registers provide critical management information. A hospital with very low referrals of TB suspect cases from the outdoor patient departments (OPD) to its diagnostic microscopy centre (DMC) but having large number of sputum examinations in this centre, pointed out to investigate for the reasons. Henceforth, the present study was conducted to analyze the sputum referrals and identify the gaps. The retrospective secondary data from the TB laboratory register of the DMC was analyzed. An alarmingly high 51.20 % of the total patients examined for sputum microscopy, were observed to be hailing from the peripheral regions where functioning DMCs already existed. The distant travel of TB suspects enhances the infectious pool in community and delays treatment. Follow up sputum microscopy, an important treatment guiding tool, when delayed, also hinders treatment protocol. Reasons for low OPD referrals from the hospital and high turnout of patients from peripheral regions must be investigated for in the region. Special emphasis should be laid over the probable poor service provisions by the DMCs at the peripheral regions.