References in the content below refer to the PBMEF Guide.
Definitions
Percent of specimens received at laboratories for WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic (WRD) testing and tested within specified target timeframe during the reporting period. The timeframe should align with the National TB Program (NTP) standard for target turnaround time (TaT) for specimen collection, submission, testing, and reporting, which may vary from country to country.
Calculation: (Numerator/Denominator) x 100
Numerator
Denominator
Ref # |
TAT_TST
(Previously DT-31) |
Tier Level |
Project Level Indicators
|
Category |
Reach
|
Type |
Output
|
Unit of Measure |
Percent of specimens
|
Data Type |
Percentage
|
Disaggregations |
Type of Specimen
|
Reporting Level |
National, subnational
|
Reporting Frequency |
Quarterly, monthly
|
The data sources for this indicator may vary country to country. In some settings, data will be found in basic management unit TB registers, laboratory registers, or electronic management systems at the health facility and district level.
As countries implement efforts to improve TB diagnosis and treatment and close the gap between notified and estimated TB cases, the number of people with notified TB that are bacteriologically confirmed needs to be monitored to ensure that people are correctly diagnosed and started on the most effective treatment regimen as early as possible. This indicator measures a program’s capacity for timely testing of specimens once they are received in the laboratory during the reporting period.
Early detection of TB is critical to achieving desirable treatment outcomes and interrupting the chain of transmission in the community. Timely testing of specimens after they are collected and submitted to a laboratory using a molecular WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic (mWRD) and reducing the time to TB diagnosis reflects multiple processes, including availability and access to adequate bacteriological diagnostic services (trained staff, equipment, etc.), quality of laboratory testing, and adherence to TB guidelines and functional sample transport system.
By measuring this indicator, countries can track the efficiency of sample processing in laboratories and identify bottlenecks to fast TaT. Additionally, this indicator can be compared against national and global standards or targets as a proxy for measuring laboratory performance or capacity within a country.
Example charts/graphs:
- Trends over time comparisons
- Infographics demonstrating TaTs
Indicator Visualizations
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