Predicted reduction in workload through examining only two specimens from TB suspects; comparison of ZN and FM.

*Time taken to find a ZN smear neg = 10 mins; scanty = 5 mins; 1+ = 2.5 mins; 2+ = 1.0 min; 3+ = 0.5 min. FU pos = 2.5 mins.**Time taken to find an FM smear neg = 2.5 mins; scanty = 2.0 mins; 1+ = 1.5 mins; 2+ = 0.5; 3+ = 0.25 min. FU pos = 1.5 mins.#No of negative smears and positive smears (at different grades) calculated based on proportions of smears that were negative and positive (at different grades) in laboratory register at Bwaila Hospital.†Staff Full Time (Hands-on) Equivalent based on real working hours reported by Mundy et al. [26].