Date:
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Topics:
Hospital:
Context: What was the issue or process affected? What was the root cause of the challenge?:
Pulmonary TB points at Soroti RRH are supposed to have sputum checks at 2, 5 and 8 months. There was low coverage during these months because TB service providers forgot to request for these tests.
What Happened: How was the challenge or gap addressed or improved?:
Teams discussed the problem and thought of establishing a reminder cue. The reminder cue involved marking/flagging off the 2, 5 and 8 month columns in the TB register with red ink. All staff were oriented on requesting for sputum before crossing the red line.
Nugget: What is the lesson for others?:
Highlighting the 2, 5 and 8 month columns in the TB register as a reminder cue for the TB care team improves coverage of sputum monitoring during TB treatment.
Impact: What are the results of applying the nugget?:
The results are still being tracked.
Implementation: What steps are needed to apply the lesson?:
- Measure coverage of sputum monitoring at 2, 5, and 8 months as a baseline
- Discuss the gap, analyze and rank the possible causes
- Determine what extent of the gap is due to forgetfulness
- Mark 2, 5 and 8 month columns in the register using a unique color
- Orient staff
- Monitor compliance
Action: Who is this for? Where does this nugget to go next?:
TB care points in other hospitals
Contact:
Soroti RRH TB unit in-charge, Anthony Musisi ([email protected])