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.
Tuberculosis; Health Services Evaluation; Delayed Diagnosis
