Tuberculosis Laboratory Register

Content Status

Published on LMS

Type

Linked Node

Tuberculosis Laboratory Register

Learning Objectives

Paper-based Format: Tuberculosis Laboratory Register

Content

The Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory Register is a paper-based recording register kept in all National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) laboratories for recording details of diagnostic services offered to TB patients referred from both private and public health facilities.

The register is maintained in the Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC). It is the only register used for recording the details of specimen smear examinations. The Laboratory Technician (LT) is responsible for maintaining and updating the laboratory register.

There are two portions in the TB lab register and the table below shows the details captured in each portion.

Table: Pages and Information Covered in the TB Laboratory Register; *Source: NTEP Training Module 2 for Programme Managers & Medical Officers*
PORTION	DETAILS CONTAINED
Left-hand Portion	Lab serial number assigned by the LT
	Date of the sample collection
	Patient details such as name, sex, age, address, and contact number
	Information on if the patient is from a key population
	Referring health facility details
	Reasons for examination
Right-hand Portion	Details on the type of specimen
	Visual appearance results along with dates
	Comorbidity status (HIV and Diabetes)
	Details of drug susceptibility testing
	Nikshay ID / Notification
	Treatment initiation details
	The last two columns are for the LT’s signature and remarks by the LT or supervisor

Important Points to Note

Duplicate registers should not be maintained.
LTs should ensure that the correct laboratory serial number is recorded.
Laboratory serial number is given to the patient and not to the sample. A new number should be assigned to every presumptive TB case whose sputum is to be examined.
All smear-positive (including scanty) results should be recorded in red ink.
No over writing or manipulation in already entered data should be done.

The figure below shows the left-hand portion of the TB lab register. Click here to access the full form in the NTEP Training Module 2 for Programme Managers & Medical Officers, p. 219.