title: Delay in pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation among hospitalized patients: Songklanagarind Hospital perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the factors influencing delayed pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation among hospitalized patients in Songklanagarind Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study examining the microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were admitted in the hospital. The data collected included demographic data, HIV status, initial symptoms, and chest radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty inpatients were identified. Forty-five percent and 30% of patients were admitted. There was delay in suspicion of pulmonary tuberculosis and delay in isolation in 18 (30%) and 24 (40%) patients, respectively. There was no statistical significance among delayed and non-delayed groups of pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pulmonary tuberculosis suspicion and isolation should concern patients for whom TB is an etiologic implication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
authors.forename: Boonsri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Charoenmak
authors.forename: Somkiet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Worayuttakarn
authors.forename: Sarunyou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chusri
authors.forename: Khachornsakdi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Silpapojakul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010356:Patient Isolation; D013785:Thailand; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult