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) and 2.5 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.
CITATION STYLE
Sidegum, D. S. V., Gonzales, R. I. C., Harter, J., Scherer, L. C., & Pilecco, F. B. (2015). Avaliação do atendimento laboratorial a sintomáticos respiratórios para tuberculose que procuraram serviços de saúde em Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, 2012. Epidemiologia e Serviços de Saúde, 24(4), 695–700. https://doi.org/10.5123/s1679-49742015000400011
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