DOT (directly observed therapy) is defined as “a strategy devised to help patients adhere to treatment for active TB. This means that a health care worker or another designated person watches the patient swallow each dose of their prescribed medication.” Directly observed therapy is recommended for all active TB cases and will be provided by the South Dakota of Health staff or by contractual TB outreach workers unless otherwise directed by the patient’s attending physician.
DOPT (directly observed preventive therapy) is a supervised course of therapy which is provided to patients for treatment of latent TB infection. DOPT may also be provided by Department of Health staff or by contractual TB outreach workers for patients who need to have their course of TB medication supervised due to compliance issues. However, this service is dependant on several factors including other staff priorities and the risk factors of the patients. Physicians or other health-care providers who believe their patient is in need of supervision of their therapy should contact the TB Control Program Coordinator at (605) 773-3737 or 1-800-592-1861 for a case conference to further discuss the case.
