Tuberculosis Rehab Service

What We Do

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

The inpatient TB Rehabilitation service provides specialized care and follow-up on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Highly skilled health care professionals provide services such as medical assessments, testing, chest x-rays and treatment, ongoing evaluation and follow-up.

Features of the inpatient tuberculosis service include​:

• 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 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.
  

Eligibility Criteria

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 t​​he patient has:

• Drug resistant or multi-drug resistant strains of TB
• A reaction to medication
• Associated conditions that make outpatient treatment not possible
• The inability to self-isolate at home or living with immunocompromised people.
  

Costs​

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. 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 the criteria for benefits.

Patients with TB and no medical insurance can receive outpatient services covered by the TB-UP Program administered through local Public Health units.

R​esources​

Tuberculosis brochure