SARS-COV-2 AND TUBERCULOSIS CO-INFECTION: AUDIT ON PATIENT EXPERIENCE ON TREATMENT SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL HOSPITAL FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES-WELISARA, SRI LANKA

Background:Patients who are well informed and motivated are more likely to utilize health services, thus, it improves adherence to medication. Hence, this audit aimed to improve the patient experience on treatment services at the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases (NHRD), Welisara, Sri Lanka.

Methods:Patients admitted from 15^th August 2021 to 25^th February 2022 to the NHRD and diagnosed with COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB) co-infection were included. Twnety-two (22) process indicators were used and data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire.Sixty-percent of thepatients had a good experience for each service received was the standard. Data were presented as frequency distributions and mean with their standard deviation (SD). Informed written consent was obtained prior to the data collection.

Results: Out of 60 patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and TB co-infection, 59 were responded (response rate was 98.3%). A majority were males (n=47, 79.7%) and belonged to 41 to 60 age category (n=29, 49.2%). Ten indicators did not meet the standard. The highest experience was shown in perceived waiting time (mean 86.8, SD ± 8.8) and the lowest experience was shown in perceived time spent with the health care provider (mean 57.9, SD ± 11.8). More than half (n=31, 52.5%) of the patients reported overall good experiences on treatment services. However, age and gender did not show any significant relationship with the good experience of treatment services received (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This audit shows the marginally good experience of treatment services received, but highlight areas such as time to discuss with the doctor, instructions on treatment given by the doctor and information given on available services on continuation of TB treatment are needed much improvement even in the pandemic situation.