Rahman AAMS, et al. - Researchers investigates the use of operational modelling to predict the impact of seven potential alternative approaches to triage (including no triage – base case), with or without X-ray and in combination with the Xpert diagnostic test. Further, they compared the projected outcomes to a base case of sputum smear microscopy without triage or X-ray prior to diagnostic testing. The results demonstrate that operational modelling can provide insights into the impact of alternative triage approaches. One approach based on an artificial neural network applied to patient and symptom characteristics enhanced case detection (82% vs 75%) compared to microscopy, and reduced costs compared to Xpert without triage. Furthermore, before diagnostic testing, using X-ray for HIV-negative patients could maintain the diagnostic yield of using Xpert without triage and reduce costs.