Status of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission prevention in hospitals in Thailand

Stigma against tuberculosis may hinder non-household contact investigation: a qualitative study in Thailand

“…Furthermore, inadequate isolation rooms for TB patients is a common problem in Thailand. 17 Measures to prevent nosocomial TB transmission should be strictly implemented. Health workers with active TB should adhere to anti-tuberculosis treatment, and staff contacts should undergo TB screening.…”

Nosocomial tuberculosis prevention in Portuguese hospitals: a cross-sectional evaluation

“…For example, a study evaluating the prevention of nosocomial TB in hospitals in Thailand reported that 80% of hospitals (n ¼ 524) had an insufficient number of isolation rooms, with approximately one third having poor ventilation in these isolation rooms. 13 Another study that assessed nosocomial TB in China 14 found that only 46% of TBdesignated hospitals (n ¼ 88) segregated patients with suspected TB.…”

Occupational Hazards in the Thai Healthcare Sector

“…28,31,32,35 Two studies conducted in public hospitals in Thailand reported a high risk of developing TB and other airborne infections among HCWs due to the lack of proper protection devices, ventilation and specific infection prevention, and control policies. 34,35 Unahalekhaka et al 36 conducted a survey of Thai hospitals to examine TB prevention activities and unmet TB prevention needs. They also concurred that while the majority of hospitals (97 percent) had TB policies in place, more than half did not have adequate isolation rooms and/or had trouble with implementing adequate TB screening in outpatient departments.…”

“…Approximately 50 percent reported that they did not use PPE during routine work; but they reported that they did regularly use PPE in case of suspected TB, HIV, or other infectious diseases. 36 Nevertheless, closer examination of the barriers to proper PPE use (availability, training, workload) is needed as many healthcare personnel continue to often rely on a surgical mask rather than the N95 mask. 33 Another disease that is transmitted via inhalation of infected particles or direct contact is diphtheria.…”