Estudio de las enfermedades infecciosas en un cupo de atención primaria de mayoría inmigrante: aplicación de técnicas microbiológicas en la consulta de primaria

Abstract

IntroductionPatients are often seen in Primary Care due to infectious diseases. The aetiology of these diseases is often unclear. The application of basic microbiological techniques in the Primary Care clinic could improve the diagnosis and patient management. The purpose of this study is to introduce basic techniques and rapid diagnostics in the management of patients attending a Primary Care clinic. MethodsThe analysis of patient samples by microbiological stains or rapid tests. ResultsIn the study of 249 samples analysed on patients in the clinic, an aetiological diagnosis of the infection was made in 23% of the cases. A microbiology result that helped in the treatment was obtained in 72% of the patients. ConclusionThe application of basic microbiological techniques may improve diagnosis and therefore the management of patients visiting the Primary Care clinic. The characteristics of the population served (mostly immigrant, low socio-economic level, difficulty in monitoring patients) suggest that this project could be very useful in that kind of population. It would require larger studies to assess the application on a larger scale and cost-effectiveness of these measures