Process-Based Performance Review for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Recent research in the mining industry (SIMHEALTH 611)  found that clinicians failed to diagnose PTB in 44%, incorrectly ascribed PTB as the cause of death in 29%, and correctly ascribed PTB as the cause of death in 27% of patients autopsied.

This high rate of missed diagnoses means that many patients will have died prematurely. It also means that patients continue to spread the TB organism to their fellows, when early diagnosis and treatment would have prevented this. SIMHEALTH 808 aims to produce and distribute material that will help to improve clinical performance and programme management of TB.

Safety in Mines Research Advisory Committee

Authorship

Dr Jill Murray
BA (Wits), PGCE (London University), MBBCh (Wits), FF Path (SA), DOH (Wits)
Head of Pathology Directorate, National Centre for Occupational Health
Honorary lecturer, Department of Community Health (Wits)
Honorary lecturer, Department of Pathology (National Health Laboratory Service)

Dr Mark Hopley
MBBCh (Wits), FCP (SA), FCCP
Senior Specialist Physician and Pulmonologist, Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg
Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

Dr Michelle Wong
MBBCh (Wits), DCH (SA), FCP (SA), FCCP
Principal Specialist Physician and Pulmonologist, Head of Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg
Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand

Prof Peter Lowe
MBBCH (Wits), DPH (Wits), DTM & H (Wits), DOH (Wits)

We would like to acknowledge the assistance of:

Dr Lucille Blumberg
MBBCH (Wits), DCH (Wits), DTM & H (Wits), DOH) (Wits)
Clinical Microbiologist, Tuberculosis Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Service & University of the Witwatersrand

Prof Brendan Girdler-Brown
MBBCh (Rhodesia), FFCH (SA), M Med (Community Health) (UCT)
Health Sector Consulting and Training, Johannesburg