Discharge decisions for pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Morita, H.
Kekkaku 85(11): 787-790
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-9776 PMID: 21174735 Document Number: 645670
To understand how decisions to discharge pulmonary tuberculosis patients were made at our hospital. 28 pulmonary tuberculosis patients admitted based on the criteria of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare between January 23 and July 22, 2009 who received standard chemotherapy according to the "Tuberculosis Treatment Standards." Discharge decisions were made using the criteria of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The patients were divided into 2 groups: a culture group in which the criterion of "3 consecutive negative cultures" was used as the criterion for deciding discharge, and a smear group in which "3 consecutive negative smears" was used as the criterion for deciding discharge. Patients' attributes, clinical findings, and treatment course were compared retrospectively between the 2 groups. Significant differences were seen between the groups in age, performance status, treatment method (4-drug, 3-drug), temporary discontinuation of chemotherapy, need for hospitalization or admission to a care facility for the purpose of convalescence after discharge, and number of days from admission until the criteria for discharge were met. Compared to patients in the smear group, those in the culture group tended to be older and in poorer general condition, more frequently needed further hospitalization or admission to a facility for the purpose of convalescence after discharge and required a longer time from admission until the criteria for discharge were met.