Surreal illustration symbolizing missed TB diagnoses in a busy emergency department with a disaster backdrop.

Are We Missing TB Cases in Emergency Departments? A Wake-Up Call

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unveiling the Gaps in Tuberculosis Detection and Disaster Preparedness: A Call to Action for Healthcare and Public Health Sectors."

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, and its detection in emergency departments (EDs) is often delayed. Missed diagnoses not only worsen patient outcomes but also increase the risk of disease transmission within communities. Studies reveal that patients with TB frequently visit EDs before diagnosis, highlighting a critical window for early intervention.

Compounding this challenge is the need for robust health emergency and disaster risk management (H-EDRM) strategies. As global threats—from pandemics to natural disasters—become more frequent, integrating health considerations into disaster preparedness and response is paramount. However, research indicates that H-EDRM is an underdeveloped and fragmented field, hindering effective action.

This article bridges these two critical areas, examining the missed opportunities for TB detection in EDs and the imperative for strengthening H-EDRM frameworks. By exploring the gaps and challenges in both domains, we aim to provide insights and recommendations for healthcare professionals and public health officials to improve patient care and community resilience.

The Silent Spread: Tuberculosis Detection in Emergency Departments

Surreal illustration symbolizing missed TB diagnoses in a busy emergency department with a disaster backdrop.

Early and accurate diagnosis of TB is crucial to prevent its spread. Patients often visit EDs before receiving a TB diagnosis, yet healthcare providers frequently overlook the possibility of TB, leading to delays. Common reasons include:

These delays have serious consequences, increasing the likelihood of:

Worsened morbidity and mortality for the individual patient.
Increased risk of TB transmission to others in the community.
Higher healthcare costs due to prolonged illness and complications.

Recognizing TB in EDs requires increased awareness among healthcare providers, improved diagnostic protocols, and effective screening strategies. Targeted educational resources for ED physicians can aid in the early recognition and diagnosis of high-risk patients. Such interventions are particularly important in urban areas with a higher prevalence of TB.

Building a Healthier, More Resilient Future

Addressing the challenges of TB detection in EDs and strengthening H-EDRM requires a multi-faceted approach. For TB, this includes enhancing provider education, implementing effective screening protocols, and improving access to diagnostic testing. For H-EDRM, it involves fostering collaboration across sectors, developing standardized terminology, and increasing resource allocation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in coordinating these efforts, promoting information-sharing, and providing technical guidance. By working together, healthcare professionals, public health officials, and international organizations can build stronger health systems and improve community resilience to both infectious diseases and disasters.

Ultimately, investing in early TB detection and robust H-EDRM is an investment in a healthier, safer, and more resilient future for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1017/s1049023x17005325, Alternate LINK

Title: Tuberculosis In Southwestern Ontario Emergency Departments: A Missed Opportunity?

Subject: Emergency Nursing

Journal: Prehospital and Disaster Medicine

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Authors: Matt Douglas-Vail, Melanie Colombus, Kristine Van Aarsen, Behzad Hassani

Published: 2017-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are Tuberculosis cases frequently missed in Emergency Departments?

Emergency Departments often overlook Tuberculosis due to factors like low suspicion, focus on immediate symptoms, and challenges in obtaining detailed patient histories. This results in delayed diagnoses and increased transmission risks.

What are the ramifications of the failure to promptly detect Tuberculosis within Emergency Departments?

The consequences of delayed Tuberculosis detection in Emergency Departments are severe. Individual patients face worsened morbidity and mortality, there's an increased risk of Tuberculosis transmission to the community, and healthcare costs rise due to prolonged illness and complications.

What role does Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management play in broader public health strategies?

Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management is crucial for integrating health considerations into disaster preparedness and response. Stronger integration ensures healthcare systems are resilient and can effectively address public health needs during crises.

What actions can be taken to enhance Tuberculosis detection rates within Emergency Departments?

To improve Tuberculosis detection in Emergency Departments, healthcare providers should receive targeted education to increase awareness of Tuberculosis symptoms and risk factors. Implementing effective screening protocols and improving access to rapid diagnostic testing are also essential.

How can Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management be strengthened, and what are the potential benefits of doing so?

Strengthening Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management involves fostering collaboration across various sectors, developing standardized terminology for better communication, and increasing resource allocation to support preparedness and response efforts. Improved Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management leads to better coordination and more effective responses during health crises, ultimately protecting public health and safety.