Researchers conducting a root-cause analysis of tuberculosis at a tertiary hospital found failing to consider a possible TB infection in patients and ordering the proper imaging and diagnostic protocol for the bacteria was the most common cause of the spread of the infection in a hospital setting, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control.
While examining infection control policies at the hospital, researchers identified 10 protocol errors that occurred across 47 percent of all cases. Of these errors, 70 percent were due to a delayed initiation of airborne precautions. Researchers concluded 80 percent of the errors were avoidable or possibly preventable.
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Researchers suggest considering the possibility of TB in elderly patients with TB risk factors and reviewing imaging studies can reduce the risk of TB infection.
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