Most patients sick with tuberculosis (TB) need to be on treatment with 2-4 drugs for 6-9 months and sometimes longer. The DPH TB Control Program has consistently met the program's goal of 83% of TB patients completing treatment within 12 months and has often exceeded the national goal of 93%. A few patients not completing treatment in this time period easily affects the overall measure.  This data is updated as of July 2018.

Note. YR 2016 data updated on July, 2018; YR 2017 data will be updated on: July, 2019

Local health departments and visiting nurse associations - provide case management, directly observed therapy; Healthcare providers - follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / American Thoracic Society/ Infectious Disease Society of America Treatment guidelines.

Directly observed therapy (DOT) or watching patients take their medication has been shown to increase treatment adherence. Giving patients incentives (small rewards to encourage them to take their medication or keep doctor appointments) and enablers (help patients receive treatment, e.g. bus token to the doctor's office) can also assist in increasing treatment completion. (CDC/ATS/IDSA TB Treatment Guidelines).

CT DPH Tuberculosis Control Program staff assist local health departments in performing DOT when needed. CT DPH provides incentives and enablers to local health departments for use with TB patients. CT DPH TB Control Program promotes the use of electronic DOT to maintain and expand the use of DOT to ensure patient treatment adherence and completion.