Tuberculosis infection control measures in diabetes clinics in China: a rapid assessment of 10 hospitals

Abstract

Objective To assess tuberculosis infection control measures in diabetes mellitus (DM) clinics in China. Method An evaluation questionnaire was developed based on the measures outlined in the WHO policy on TB infection control in healthcare facilities and congregate settings. 10 selected hospitals were assessed between September 2014 and February 2015. Results All hospitals had an infection control committee, an action plan and training, but there was no focus on activities to prevent airborne transmission of infection, especially from tuberculosis. All DM clinics had natural or artificial ventilation, but at the time of the evaluation half had all windows closed. While all the hospitals provided surgical masks for hospital staff, none had N95-specific respiratory masks and only three provided masks for patients with a cough. There were no policies on identifying DM patients with TB symptoms, minimising the time spent by these patients in the clinics or developing health educational material on diabetes and tuberculosis. Conclusion Infection control measures to prevent airborne transmission in DM clinics are inadequate. More work is needed to better understand and determine the risk of TB infection in DM clinics and to improve their TB infection control practices. This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)