Utility of Tetanos Quick Stick(R) Test for Selective Tetanus Prophylaxis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Tetanus is still one kind of major health problem in many countries, so tetanus prophylaxis is very important. However medical interview and wound description are not always enough to determine the tetanus prophylaxis. Thus, we assessed the utility of Tetanos Quick Stick(R) test for selective tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department. METHODS: From September 17, 2003 to October 4, 2003, 180 patients were studied for 14 days. Tetanos Quick Stick (R) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were performed with 180 samples from 180 patients. RESULTS: The Tetanos Quick Stick(R) had a sensitivity of 79.6%, a specificity of 99.2%, a positive predictive value of 97.7 %, a negative predictive value of 91.9%, and an accuracy of 93.3%. CONCILUSION The results of our study revealed that the Tetanos Quick Stick(R) test is useful for selective tetanus prophylaxis in the emergency department.