Current tuberculosis (TB) reporting protocols are insufficient to achieve the goals established by the Stop TB partnership. Some countries have recommended implementation of active case finding program. We assessed the effect of Cough Officer Screening (an active screening system) on the rate of TB detection and health care system delays over the course of four years. Methods: Patients who were hospitalized at the Changhua Christian Hospital (Changhua, Taiwan) were enrolled from September 2004 to July 2006 (Stage I) and August 2006 to August 2008 (Stage II). Stage II was implemented after a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle analysis indicated that we should exclude ICU and paediatric patients
