title: A novel system to obtain addresses of out-patients--assessment in routine clinic practice in Madras, S. India.
abstract: A novel method of obtaining accurate home addresses from out-patients was introduced as a routine procedure in 6 chest clinics of Madras City, following highly satisfactory results under study conditions. In this method, the patient is given a card (the address card), and asked to get his exact address entered on it by any knowledgeable person of his choice such as a landlord or neighbour. An assessment of the system was undertaken after it had been in operation for about 8 months. A complete and legible address was available for 82% of 3956 patients, the range in the 6 clinics being 74% to 91%. The main causes for failure were: not giving address card to patient (7%), patient not reattending the clinic (6%), and patient reattending but not returning the address card (3%). Corrective measures have now been introduced, and a re-assessment will be undertaken in due course.
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D011996:Records; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000628:therapy