How to improve TB outpatient service in a TB low-endemic country during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

J Prev Med Hyg. 2021 Jun 5;62(1 Suppl 3):E50-E52. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2021.62.1S3.2008. eCollection 2021 Mar.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Despite notable progresses in the recent decades, tuberculosis (TB) continues to remain a public health concern even in Europe. TB prevention and care should be people-centred, improving ambulatory models across countries, in order to expand access to diagnosis and treatment for both TB infection and disease. Even more, during emergencies such as the current pandemic, when seeking of TB care has been replaced by the fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), TB patient’s care is fundamental. In this short communication, we document how was possible to implement a TB outpatient service meanwhile a local outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 transmission was ongoing.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care / ethics
  • Ambulatory Care / organization & administration*
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • Ethics, Medical
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine*
  • Tuberculosis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents