Topic Three Diagnostics Results Tracking HIGH Idea Prize Challenge September 16, 2009

The Problem Delays in diagnosis and ultimately treatment lead to continued transmission and higher morbidity and mortality – Example: Study in Tanzania found a median delay of diagnosis from onset of symptoms of 136 days 1 Current methods of record keeping and notification are not sufficient to keep track of patients and insure they are properly treated even once they are notified Wandwalo ER, Morkve O: Delay in tuberculosis case-finding and treatment in Mwanza, Tanzania. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2000, 4(2):

Current Methods Most records are either kept locally in handwritten records and are not properly communicated to the patient or providers Many patients even once undergoing expensive tests are lost to follow-up Electronic medical records are being developed and tested, but do not necessarily address the delay in treatment once diagnosis is made which is dependent on enhancing provider/patient notification

Metrics For Success Winning proposals will suggest a method for enhancing recording, reporting and ultimately improving patient treatment The proposed technology should not be a medical record system, but could work in conjunction with or adjunct to EMR or OMR systems