Abstract

SIDEGUM, Daniele Susana Volkart et al. Evaluation of laboratory care provided to patients with respiratory symptoms of tuberculosis seeking public health services in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2012. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.4, pp.695-700. ISSN 1679-4974.

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.

Keywords : Tuberculosis; Health Services Evaluation; Delayed Diagnosis.

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