Description:

West Park is the provincially designated treatment centre for difficult-to-treat cases of tuberculosis (TB) and other mycobacterial infections. The TB Service shares a close relationship with Public Health.

The TB Service provides specialized care and follow-up on an in-patient and out-patient basis. Highly skilled health care professionals provide services such as medical assessments, testing, chest x-rays and treatment, ongoing evaluation and follow-up.

To download a brochure on TB, click here.

In-patient service:

• A specialized, state-of-the-art infection control unit;
• A culturally sensitive approach, accommodating and serving the diverse cultural, religious and dietary practices of patients;
• Space for patients to visit in privacy with families and/or other visitors, an activity room, complete with audio-visual equipment and computers, as well as a secluded courtyard to enable patients to obtain the benefits of fresh air, exercise and recreation;
• A transdisciplinary health care team with special expertise in dealing with patients with complex needs;
• Diagnostic testing to measure response to treatment;
• Patient and family education on TB, its causes, treatment and prevention

Discharge occurs when the patient's illness is under control, when treatment is well-established and when the patient is no longer infectious.

To be referred to the inpatient service, please contact 416-243-3600 ext. 4626  or download the In-Patient Referral Form.

Out-patient service:

• Assessment of new referrals suspected of having TB with recommendations for community and/or hospital management; Ongoing treatment and follow-up of patients with pulmonary and extra pulmonary TB; Assessment and treatment of patients with non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection;
• Investigation of patients who test positive for TB;
• Treatment and follow-up of latent tuberculosis infection.

To be referred to the outpatient service, please contact 416-243-3600 ext. 2180 or download the Out-Patient Referral Form.

Lungs and Breathing

All costs associated with West Park's TB Service are covered for patients with a valid Ontario Health Card issued by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (see "Additional Information" for more detail). Refugees/refugee claimants can be eligible for full TB-related coverage through Interim Federal Health. Private insurance may cover students, temporary workers etc. if they meet criteria for benefits.

Eligibility: Inviduals 16 years of age and older with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infection (see "Referral requirements" for more detail).

Patients of West Park's Tuberculosis Service are 16 years of age and older with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infection. In-patient treatment may be required if the patient has:

• Drug resistant or multi-drug resistant strain of TB;
• A reaction to medication;
• Associated conditions that make out-patient treatment not possible.

A physician referral is required for inpatient and outpatient referrals.

For further information on the inpatient service, please call the Respiratory Medicine office at 416-243-3600 ext. 4626.

For further information on outpatient (clinic) appointment and services, please call the Outpatient Respiratory Medicine Office at 416-243-3600 ext. 2180. Referrals can be faxed directly to 416-243-3696. Also e-mail can be sent to Nurse Practitioner Jane McNamee at Jane.McNamee@westpark.org.

Patients without medical insurance coverage can receive out-patient services covered by the TB-UP Program administered through local Public Health units.