Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in health settings threatens health care workers and people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Nosocomial transmission is reduced with implementation of infection control (IC) guidelines. The objective of this study is to describe implementation of TB IC measures in Malawi. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing anonymous health worker...

OBJECTIVES To use a quality improvement approach to improve access to and quality of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and care in Cape Town. METHODS Five HIV/AIDS/sexually transmitted infections/TB (HAST) evaluations were conducted from 2008 to 2010, with interviews with 99 facility managers and a folder review of over 850 client records per evaluation cycle. The data were used in a local quality ...

Starting in 1997 nearly 60 patients have been successfully treated by means of the intensity controlled rasterscanmethod within the GSI experimental cancer treatment program. The developments and experiences of this program accompanied by intensive discussions with the medical community led to a proposal for a hospital based light ion accelerator facility for the clinic in Heidelberg. [1] Major...

BACKGROUND Directly observed therapy (DOT) remains the cornerstone of the global tuberculosis (TB) control strategy. Tanzania, one of the 22 high-burden countries regarding TB, changed the first-line treatment regimen to contain rifampicin-containing fixed-dose combination for the full 6 months of treatment. As daily health facility-based DOT for this long period is not feasible for the patient...

PURPOSE To compare the outcome of our facility with another about the shortened schedule (60 Gy in 10 fractions to 54 Gy in 9 fractions) of high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy (HDR ISBT) for mobile tongue cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighteen patients were treated with HDR ISBT as a monotherapy in dose reduction schedule with some unique technique to determine the border of tumor accura...

BACKGROUND Investigation of factors associated with variation in dialysis patient employment has focused primarily on patient-level factors. Little is known about facility-level factors that may be associated with patient employment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS The ESRD Facility Survey (CMS-2744A) began in 2004 to collect counts of employed patients aged 18 to 54, in addit...

PROBLEM Many countries have limited experience of securing the best prices for drugs and have little negotiating power. This is particularly true for the complex, lengthy and expensive regimens used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. APPROACH The Stop TB Partnership's Global Drug Facility is dedicated to improving worldwide access to antituberculosis medicines and diagnostic technique...