Recording Adherence in Treatment card

Adherence to treatment is critical in ensuring the eradication of TB and preventing the development of drug-resistant strains. The use of a treatment card is one of the ways that health professionals can monitor and encourage patient adherence to TB treatment.

A treatment card is a simple and effective tool that is used to record and track a patient's TB treatment progress. The card is designed to provide a summary of the patient's treatment regimen, including the medications prescribed, dosages, and duration of treatment. The card also includes spaces for health professionals to record the patient's progress and adherence to treatment, such as the dates of medication intake and any adverse reactions. The custodian of the treatment card is the treatment supporter.

The use of a treatment card helps health professionals to monitor the patient's progress and ensure that they are taking their medications as prescribed. This allows health professionals to identify any problems with adherence early on and take steps to address them. For example, if a patient misses a dose of medication, the health professional can follow up with the patient to determine the reason for the missed dose and provide education and support to encourage adherence in the future. It is the duty of the STS to follow-up on a patient who has missed their dose. If a patient misses more than one month's worth of doses, they are declared as "lost to follow-up".

Recording adherence to TB treatment in a treatment card also helps to ensure that patients receive the appropriate dosage of medication for the full duration of their treatment. If a patient fails to complete their treatment regimen, they are at risk of developing drug-resistant strains of TB, which can be more difficult and expensive to treat. By recording adherence to treatment in a treatment card, health professionals can ensure that patients receive the appropriate dosage of medication for the full duration of their treatment.