A novel system to obtain addresses of out-patients - Assessment in routine clinic practice in Madras, South India.

Satagopan, M.C.; Radhakrishna, S.; Krishnaswami, K.V.; Somasundaram, P.R.; Tripathi, S.P.; Wallace Fox.

Indian Journal of Tuberculosis; 1983; 30; 93-96 and Tubercle, 65, 41-45.

A novel method of obtaining accurate home addresses from out-patients was introduced as a routine procedure in 6 chest clinics of Madras City, following highly satisfactory results under study conditions. In this method, the patient is given a card (the Address card), and asked to get his exact address entered on it by any knowledgeable person of his choice such as the landlord or a neighbour. An assessment of the system was undertaken after it had been in operation for about 8 months. A complete and legible address was available for 82% of 3956 patients, the range in the 6 clinics being 74% to 91%. The main causes for failure were: not giving Address card to patient (7%), patient not reattending the clinic (6%), and patient reattending but not returning the Address card (3%). Corrective measures have now been introduced, and a re-assessment will be undertaken in due course.

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