STUDEMEISTER A; Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (42nd : 2002 : San Diego, Calif.).

Abstr Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother Intersci Conf Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2002 Sep 27-30; 42: abstract no. K-1380.

San Jose Medical Group, San Jose, CA.

BACKGROUND: Santa Clara County in California, which has a population of over 1.7 million and is served by several private community hospitals, has a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). Implementation of TB control procedures is essential to prevent nosocomial transmission. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken on all patients hospitalized with TB between January, 1995, and February, 2002, at three private community hospitals in Santa Clara County. RESULTS: 93 adults and l child were identified. Their age ranged from 2 to 98 years (mean 53). 61% were male. The most common countries of origin were Vietnam (31%), India (14%), Phillipines (11%) and Mexico (10%). Associated conditions included diabetes mellitus (13%), previous TB (6%), cancer (4%), prednisone use (4%); less common: renal failure, cirrhosis, gastrectomy and AIDS. 87% were admitted by primary care physicians. 67 (82%) had pulmonary TB (PTB), and 18 (27%) of these had lung cavities. PTB was not initially suspected in 50% of 72 cases, with unspecified pneumonia being the most common initial diagnosis. 8 (13%) of 60 cases of PTB evaluated in the emergency department (ED) were placed in respiratory isolation. Hemoptysis and lung cavity correlated significantly with immediate use of respiratory isolation. The latter was promptly implemented after infectious diseases and pulmonary consultations in 81% of cases of unsuspected PTB. CONCLUSIONS: Hemoptysis and cavitary lung disease, as well as the involvement of infectious diseases and pulmonary consultants, were associated with prompt implementation of TB control procedures in private community hospitals in a high prevalence area. Efforts to prevent nosocomial TB in private community hospitals should include educational measures targetting ED and primary care physicians.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Adult
• California
• Child
• Hospitals, Community
• Hospitals, Private
• Humans
• India
• Lung
• Male
• Mexico
• Philippines
• Tuberculosis
• Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
• Vietnam

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0028007

UI: 102267631

From Meeting Abstracts