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By Derek Cornet

health

Provincial auditor believes SHA needs to do more to prevent the spread of TB

Jun 10, 2024 | 4:28 PM

The Provincial Auditor of Saskatchewan believes the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) needs to determine the most efficient and effective model to use for tuberculosis (TB) care in the province.

That information was in a report issued last week, which included a chapter on preventing the spread of TB throughout the province. It found there are a number of ways the healthy authority needs to act to prevent its spread including establishing and using a criteria to determine an appropriate treatment delivery method for TB patients to take their prescribed medication, as well as tracking and assessing whether close contacts with TB cases are notified timely.

It also calls for setting clear expectations for publicly reporting outbreaks, and tracking and analyzing key TB information to sufficiently analyze trends and assess whether its TB services meet patient needs and reduce the spread of the disease.

“While the Authority offers various types of clinics (e.g., telehealth, in-person), patients attended only 55 per cent of the in-person appointments booked in 2022–23,” the report notes.

“Assessing other types of models (i.e., virtual care) may help the Authority use TB physicians and nurses more effectively.”

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The report also states Saskatchewan’s rate of TB was 10.9 cases per 100,000 population in 2023—more than twice the national average of 5.1 cases. Delays in treating TB increases the risk of it becoming more difficult to treat and potentially fatal. Of the 138 active TB cases in 2023, 44 per cent lived in Indigenous communities in Northern Saskatchewan.

The SHA spent $3.9 million on the TB Prevention and Control Program in 2022–23, which includes funding from its partners including Indigenous Services Canada). The SHA and its partners, however, have not updated the Provincial Tuberculosis Strategy since 2013.

In an email to larongeNOW, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said it appreciates the six recommendations made by the provincial auditor on preventing the spread of TB.

“To decrease the risk of spread, the SHA will continue to work with partners and communities to strengthen this program area by reviewing the current processes for gaps and implementing a robust system for tracking and assessing notification processes during contact investigations,” the email noted.

“The system will include improved documentation processes and timelines for notifying individuals identified as TB case contacts, ensuring consistency and accountability across all levels of healthcare delivery.”

The SHA will also develop criteria to help determine the most appropriate treatment delivery and best care models to use, among other important recommendations made by the auditor to improve patient care. The ministry will also report on its progress on the recommendations.

larongeNOW reached out to Dr. Nnamdi Ndubuka, the Medical Health Officer for NITHA, but did not receive a response by publishing.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com