An improved record system for tracing outcome of “transferred-out” DOTS patients

This study in Pakistan aimed to develop an improved record-keeping mechanism for the DOTS programme to establish the final treatment status of patients recorded as “transferred-out”. In an intervention study in 40 DOTS diagnostics centres in Punjab province, a modification was made to the existing TB03 register. DOTS facilitators were trained to keep proper records of patients who transferred-out and transferred-in. Among 4442 registered cases, 104 patients (2.3%) transferred out of reporting centres. Correct matching of “-out and -in” patients was achieved for 74 (71.2%) patients; the remaining 30 (28.8%) were untraced. By tracing transferred-out cases, the adjusted outcome success rate increased in the intervention period from 89.6% to 90.9%.