Delayed Tuberculosis Treatment and Cost of Care in a Low-Incidence Country.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) elimination requires high-quality, timely care. In countries with a low incidence of TB, such as Ireland, delayed diagnosis is common. This evaluation aimed to determine the factors that predict patient-related and health care provider-related delays in TB management and to establish how TB care cost is affected by care delays.

Methods

Health care records of patients with signs and symptoms of TB evaluated by a tertiary service in Ireland between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, were reviewed to measure and determine predictors of patient-related delays, health care provider-related delays, and the cost of TB care. Outcomes were compared against benchmarks derived from the literature.

Results

Thirty-seven patients were diagnosed with T

SUBMITTER: O'Connell J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9124588 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature