Abstract: Objective  To analyze the reporting, referral, and tracking in place situation of TB patients and suspected TB patients in Guangzhou Yuexiu District general hospitals, and explore the measures of improving TB patients referral in place rate.   Methods  We collected the reporting and referral records and case information of pulmonary TB patients reported by 31 general hospitals and 22 community health service centers between January 2008—2010 December 31 to analyze the changes of rates of referral, in place and total arrival, and the reasons.   Results  From 2008 to 2010, a total of 2988 cases of pulmonary TB and suspected TB were reported. Through referral and tracking, the overall in place rate was 87.75%, 66.51%(433/651)，92.21%(1054/1143) and 95.06%(1135/1194) respectively in each year from 2008 to 2010. The trend test showed a statistically significant difference(χ²_trend=364.42，P<0.05). Among the patients reported, 1467 were referred in place with the referral in place rate of 49.10%. The remaining 1521 were tracked by TB institutions, and the tracking in place rate was 75.94%. This rate rose gradually from 38.07%(134/352) in 2008 to 84.49%(485/574) in 2009, and reached 90.08%(536/595) in 2010. The trend test also showed a significant difference (χ²_trend=353.68，P<0.05). The main reasons for tracking not in place including 242 cases of wrong names or addresses, accounting for 66.12%（242/366）, 9.84%（36/366）of returning to hometown, 3.55%(13/366) of declining the treatment, 11.75%（43/366） of death, and 8.20%（30/366）of other reasons.   Conclusion  We should strengthen the cooperation between TB control institution and the general hospital, and referral management in general hospital, hence to improve the referral in place rate of TB patients.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary/prevention and control, Patient transfer, Guangzhou city