Abstract: Objective  To understand the status of referral and follow-up of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients reported in internet-based surveillance system by non-TB control institutions in Heihe city in 2009 to 2011 in order to improve case detection.  Methods  The referral, tracing and checking report forms of PTB patients reported by non-TB control institutions in Tuberculosis Management Information System of Heihe in 2009 to 2011 was used. The referral arrival rate, tracing arrival rate, total arrival rate, detection rate and the contribution rate on TB case detection by non-TB institutions of 4991 cases that needed referral were analyzed.  Results  For the patients reported in internet-based surveillance system by non-TB control institutions in 2009 to 2011, the referral arrival rates was 45.4% (870/1918), 47.8% (762/1594) and 61.1% (904/1479) respectively, with a rising trend year by year(χ²_trend=78.711, P=0.000). The tracing arrival rate was 91.7% (961/1048), 94.2% (784/832) and 86.6% (498/575). The total arrival rate was 95.6% (1834/1918), 97.1% (1547/1594) and 94.8% (1402/1479) respectively. Among arrival patients, the detection rate of active PTB was 43.0% (2057/4783) and that of smear positive PTB was 23.9% (1144/4783). The contribution rate on active PTB case detection by non-TB institutions was 50.1% (2057/4107) and that of smear positive PTB was 46.8% (1144/2446).  Conclusion  The referral arrival rate was increasing year by year in Heihe city from 2009 to 2011, and the tracing arrival rate and the total arrival rate maintained at a high level.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary/prevention &, control, Patient transfer, Computer communication networks, Heihe city