Krasnoyarsk phthisiatricians use video-controlled technologies when treating tuberculosis patients at home

Krasnoyarsk phthisiatricians use new technologies to monitor drug intake during outpatient treatment of tuberculosis patients. This was reported by the press service of the regional Ministry of Health.

Treatment of tuberculosis is usually divided into two stages. At the first stage, a patient who poses an epidemiological threat to others undergoes chemotherapy in a hospital under strict monitoring of drug intake and the body’s response to treatment. At the second stage, when the patient stops excreting bacteria and becomes non-infectious to others, treatment continues on an outpatient basis.

However, when treated at home, the patient may skip medications or stop treatment prematurely. Therefore, the main condition for recovery is the patient’s strict compliance with all doctor’s prescriptions.

“The technology of remote video-controlled treatment helps doctors at the TB dispensary monitor the patient’s medication intake and his health status during treatment at home. When it is time to take the pill, the call center employee calls the patient by phone and reminds him to take the drug. Also, the patient films himself taking anti-tuberculosis drugs on camera every day, then sends this video to the TB doctor by email, with the obligatory indication of his well-being. In the chat, the patient can ask the attending physician questions and receive an answer as soon as possible. If the patient does not answer the phone call or does not send a video, a visiting nurse comes to see him,” the Ministry of Health said.

Video controlled technologies allow patients undergo treatment at home, lead a normal lifestyle and do not waste time on daily trips to the TB dispensary.

Each patient is also given a checklist for self-monitoring of their health status. It allows you to identify undesirable consequences, report them to the attending physician and promptly adjust treatment. Consultations with a TB doctor are available to outpatients around the clock.

Newslab now in MAX. News is also published in OK | VK | Zen | Telegram