The profile of deaths in Charles Hurwitz TB Hospital: January-December 2007

Abstract

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major cause of disease and death worldwide. In 2008, South Africa ranked third in the world in terms of the total numbers of new TB cases. Little is known about the profile of TB deaths at individual hospital level. Hence, the aim of the study was to describe the profile of TB deaths in Charles Hurwitz TB Hospital for the period January to December 2007. Methods A descriptive study was done, based on retrospective record review of all patients who died between January and December 2007 at Charles Hurwitz TB Hospital, irrespective of the date of admission. The data was analysed using Microsoft Excel. Findings The mean age at death was 41 years (standard deviation =10.9 years). Less than half of deceased individuals were employed (43.4%), more than one third had a history of smoking (42%) and the majority had a history of alcohol consumption (60.5%). Almost three quarters of the patients (75.3%) were being treated for the first time. The majority (85.1%) of deceased patients tested for HIV were HIV positive, but only 23.3% of those referred for treatment were actually on ART, indicating missed opportunities in treatment and care at the hospital. Conclusion There is need for ongoing vigilance and training to ensure that TB hospitals and individual health care providers comply with the national quality of care and TB management standards, and that missed opportunities are eliminated to reduce avoidable TB deaths.