Background: Inadequate isolation of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis causes exposure whereas over-cautious isolation generates time and cost inefficiencies. This study aims to ascertain the delays involved in isolating subjects and the importance of risk factors.
Methods and material: Between December 2010 and January 2013, a retrospective analysis of 271 subjects was performed. Information was obtained from discharge letters, radiological and microbiological results.
Results: The median time taken to isolate subjects was 0 days, and 71.7% were isolated within 1 day. Most subjects (75.3%) had sputum samples obtained after isolation, of which 14.7% were positive. The median time from admission to first sputum sample was 1 day. Smear was negative in 174 subjects (85.3%). Country of birth (high or low risk) did not significantly affect sputum positivity (25.5% vs 19.4%, p=0.52). Suspicious radiological findings were noted in 38.6% subjects, and 32.8% had a suspicious clinical history. Subjects with both clinical and radiological probability had more sputum positivity (46.2%), compared to subjects who had neither (2.7%).
Conclusion: There are delays with isolation and diagnosis of subjects with a high probability of tuberculosis. Clinical and radiological probability were more significant in predicting sputum positivity than country of birth.
Keywords: Acid fast bacilli; Active; Cost-effective; Isolation; Pulmonary tuberculosis; Sputum samples.
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