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Using the 7-1-7 Timeliness Metric to Improve the Speed and Coverage of Household Contact Management

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To improve timeliness of household contact screening and TPT initiation, The Centre for Operational Research (COR) at The Union took inspiration from a new global timeliness metric of 7-1-7, implemented to improve early detection and rapid control of health threats arising from infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics. 

The COR adapted this as follows:

  • First ‘7’ - detection (line-listing) of household contacts within 7 days of index pulmonary TB patient being initiated on TB treatment;
  • Next ‘1’ - household contacts have symptom screening outcomes ascertained and notified to the National TB Programme within the next 1 day;
  • Second ‘7’ - eligible household contacts complete early response actions (start TB treatment or TPT or make a no-treatment decision) within 7 days of symptom screening.

The 7-1-7 timeliness metric brings structure and urgency to household contact management and TPT initiation and should be monitored by National TB Programmes.