New ECDC form to support continuity of cross-border tuberculosis care
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released a new form for clinicians to help ensure patients with tuberculosis (TB) can continue their treatment without interruption when moving between countries. This form provides a standardised communication channel across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA).
The International tuberculosis care transfer form summarises a patient's essential diagnostic and treatment information, ensuring clinicians have the necessary data to provide timely and appropriate continuity of care across borders.
This will address a critical challenge in the fight against TB, as mobile populations are particularly vulnerable, and cross-border movement can disrupt the long course of TB therapy, which can lead to treatment failure, further transmission, and the development of drug-resistant strains. Recent data show nearly 39 000 cases of TB were reported in the EU/EEA, and just over one-third (36.0%) were of foreign origin (cases born in or citizens of a country different to the reporting country).
Maintaining continuity of treatment is a vital public health measure. Currently, treatment success rates for new and relapse cases stand at just 68%, significantly below the 90% target set by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This initiative offers a practical solution to help bridge that gap and advance Europe’s efforts towards eliminating tuberculosis.
The form is the result of a collaborative process led by ECDC. Its development used existing national and international tools as its basis, as well as consultations with clinicians and public health authorities from across Europe. It is designed to be concise, user-friendly, and clinically relevant, providing minimum essential data to support patients' care journeys across borders.
Tools for public health
International tuberculosis care transfer form
The transfer form is designed to support continuity of TB care for individuals with TB who move from one country to another. It is a voluntary, generic tool that summarises essential information on the TB management process, including diagnosis and treatment, enabling health providers and public health authorities in the receiving country to have the necessary data to ensure timely support and appropriate care.
