Number | Variables | Definition |
---|---|---|
a | with in-patient wards | whether the facility included in-patient wards for TB patients |
b | screening for patients | whether patients were screened for TB |
c | department and staff setting | department and staff composition: whether there was a dedicated department for TB infection prevention and control; specialist and sufficient staff |
d | infection control policies and budgets | infection control policies and budgets: whether a program for TB infection control existed; existing an established referral system; existing appropriate and dedicated funding |
e | staff training Implementation | whether there was pre-employment training program in TB infection prevention and control, provision of continuous education; provision of review courses and activities |
f | infection control evaluation implementation | details of incorporation of TB infection control practices to performance indicator systems and evaluation of the environmental implementation for TB infection control |
g | administrative implementation | whether dedicated area for coughing patients are provided during appointments; appropriately designed sputum collection area according to building standards; provision of facial tissues or medical masks for patients; measurement of time spent by patients at health care facilities (with an aim to shorten length of stay); firstly receiving samples of suspected infectious TB cases in laboratories; firstly treating suspected infectious TB cases in in-patient wards; with details of any isolation system; separating patients with and without a cough; separating TB cases (infectious or multi-drug resistant disease) from non-TB patients in in-patient wards or out-patient departments |
h | promotion and education implementation | whether promotional materials about TB infection control is offered in out-patient departments and wards, including cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene in out-patient departments and wards, ensuring patients keep good cough etiquette and wear surgical masks in wards; |
i | individual protection | carrying out TB infection control education, conducting health check-up examinations on an yearly basis for HCW; wearing N95 medical masks when collecting smear; wearing N95 medical masks among HCWs in out-patient wards or laboratories; conducting fitting tests of N95 medical masks regularly; |
j | floor plan design | the designation rationality in the waiting area, or in out-patient departments, or in laboratories, or in-patient wards; |
k | ventilation | good ventilation in out-patient departments; HCWs in out-patient departments sitting upwind of patients; installation of ventilation equipment in out-patient departments or wards; |
l | ultraviolet germicidal lamps installation and maintenance | installing ultraviolet germicidal lamps in out-patient departments, or wards or laboratories; having a good maintenance plan in out-patient departments, or wards or laboratories. |