Fullscreen

  • Need to communicate results to patient

    Content

    It is important that patients receive their positive/negative test results and an adequate explanation of the results in a timely manner.

    Time required for different Laboratory test results include:

    1. Smear microscopy/follow up:1 day

    2. Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) (CBNAAT/Truenat):1-2 days

    3. Line Probe Assay (LPA): 2-3 days

    4. Liquid Culture DST (Drug Susceptibility testing): 22-48 days

    Results of all laboratory tests such as smear, culture and DST / LPA / NAAT should be entered in Nikshay by the testing facility

    Communicating test results

    Communicating test results to the patient provides an opportunity to discuss about TB disease, its prognosis and treatment options.

    It also includes counselling and educating patient and family members on need for regular treatment, cough etiquette and proper disposal of sputum to prevent transmission of disease.

    It is important that:

    • All results should be communicated to the concerned health facility through Nikshay as soon as results are available
    • Alternative means (email, SMS etc) are also used to communicate the test results
    • Test results once available, should be promptly communicated to the patients by NTEP supervisors/general health system staff/community volunteers within 1-2 days
      • It is essential that laboratory technicians record the complete addresses of patients examined for diagnosis. This facilitates tracing and initiation of treatment for all diagnosed TB cases
    • All patients whose test report is positive should be provided information on TB disease, TB treatment and counselled for early treatment initiation. Emphasis should be made on starting the treatment at the earliest in order to prevent further transmission of disease .
      • The primary caregivers and other household members of the patient should be counselled for matters related to patient’s TB treatment, cough hygiene, risk of spreading infection, nutrition and also address issues related to gender, stigma, discrimination or any other psycho-social issues (if any, related to TB diagnosis) that could impact treatment initiation.
    • For those patients whose test report is negative (active TB ruled out), they should be further tested for TB infection (TBI) and on confirmation of TBI, their eligibility for TB preventive treatment (TPT) should be assessed and necessary action should be taken, if eligible.
    • For those patients who do not have TB disease nor TB infection, negative test result also needs to be communicated. Broad spectrum antibiotics are prescribed to them for 10-14 days. Most patients are likely to improve with a course of antibiotics if they are not suffering from TB.
      • If the symptoms persist after the course of antibiotics, the patient is re-evaluated by repeat sputum and X-ray examination and decision to treat accordingly is made by the treating physician.

    Resources 

    Assessment 

    Question     Answer 1     Answer 2     Answer 3     Answer 4     Correct answer     Correct explanation     Page id     Part of Pre-test     Part of Post-test    
    Who conveys the results of TB tests to the patient? NTEP supervisors 

    General health system staff 

     

    		 Community volunteers  All   4  Results of TB tests are communicated to the patients by NTEP supervisors, general health system staff and community volunteers.       Yes Yes

     

    Test results are communicated to patients by NTEP supervisors within how many days?

    		 2 days 4 days 6 days 8 days 1 Test results once available, should be promptly communicated to the patients by NTEP supervisors/general health system staff/community volunteers within 1-2 days   Yes Yes

  • How to communicate results to TB patient

    Content

    When the referring health facility receives the test results from the DMC, the results are communicated to the patient through NTEP supervisors/health facility staff/Medical Officer.

    Both Positive and negative results need to be communicated to the patient. For negative results, counselling for further evaluation and testing need to be done for the symptoms.

    Communication as a tool embodies attitudes, behavior, body language, style, method of presentation, quality of listening and perceptions and interpretations.

    It is important that the health staff communicating TB test results to patient is trained in interpersonal communication (one-to-one) and soft skills (listening, motivating, problem solving etc).

    The results are communicated in a polite and non-authoritarian manner that encourages open communication and builds rapport with the patient

    Resources 

     

    Assessment 

    Question    

    Answer 1    

    Answer 2    

    Answer 3    

    Answer 4    

    Correct answer    

    Correct explanation    

    Page id    

    Part of Pre-test    

    Part of Post-test    

    The Peripheral Health Worker (PHW) should visit the house of the patient (within a week) to communicate results to the patient.

    True

    False

     

     

    1

    The Peripheral Health Worker (PHW) should visit the house of the patient (within a week) to communicate results to the patient. 

        

       Yes

    Yes