Abstract:

Objective To analyze the current operation status of automated-alert system for tuberculosis in schools in Beijing, and to provide a basis for further improving the application of the system. Methods The information of early warning of tuberculosis from July 2018 to December 2020 was derived from the Automated-alert System for Tuberculosis, including the number of early warning signals, response and response results of the early warning signals of tuberculosis, and was analyzed and evaluated according to the temporal distribution, regional distribution and diagnosis results. Results A total of 6476 warning signals were issued by Automated-alert System for Tuberculosis from July 2018 to December 2020 with a signal response rate of 99.98% (6475/6476), and 99.24% (6426/6475) of signals were responded in 24 hours. The median responding time was 0.84 hours (Q₁-Q₃:0.23-3.38 h), finally 34.02% (2203/6476) early warning signals were identified as suspected events. As time went by, the proportion of signal response decreased from 99.51% (1617/1625) to 99.14% (1967/1984), the overall signal response time decreased from 1.09 (0.30, 4.60) h to 0.75 (0.21, 2.88) h, and the suspected event rate decreased from 36.31% (590/1625) to 29.12% (578/1985). Chaoyang District had the largest number of warning signals (1219), and Haidian District had the highest suspected incident rate (67.19%, 723/1076). With the improvement of the diagnostic level of pulmonary tuberculosis (from low to high, followed by no etiological results, etiological negative, etiological positive, rifampicin resistance), the number of early warning signals decreased from 4519 to 57, in which the suspected event rate of etiological negative pulmonary tuberculosis was the highest, which was 35.69% (439/1230). The positive predictive value and sensitivity of school tuberculosis outbreak epidemic was 0.23% (15/6476) and 46.88% (15/32). Conclusion The Automated-alert System for Tuberculosis in Beijing has a high response rate and response timeliness, but still has room to improve. District level tuberculosis prevention and control institutions need to improve the accuracy of early warning system and further improve the quality of early warning information disposal.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, School, Alert, Beijing City