The increase
in the rate of positive culture results observed in the intervention
phase was most likely the result of introducing
the BACTEC Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube
(MGIT 960) automatic liquid medium culture system
into the laboratory rather than an increase in prevalence
because the overall prevalence of TB in the 2 cities involved
did not change. Importantly, the reduction in response
delays, which were directly influenced by our
mobile phone alert system, was statistically significant