Hello,
Thank you in advance!! I would like to know your responses to my question on:
How do other hospitals do their ANNUAL
LOW RISK Healthcare Workers TB screenings?
Is anyone using the CDC and DHEC recommended practice of TARGETED TESTING,
only doing annual respiratory TB sign/symptoms questionnaire? I went to a recent TB DHEC 3 day conference and ALL the TALK WAS MOVING TO TARGETED TB TESTING BASED ON RISK LEVELS. Bon Secours St Francis is now/currently doing TSPOT TB IGRA
test on our new hire on-boarding, and have stopped all two (2) step TST. We are moving forward with policy changes and I need input on annual practices and TB exposure for employees. I understand the Employee Health Reg. #601 to offer best practice CDC guidance
and use Appendix B for calculating your risk. Attached doc to read.
Regulation 61-16
Minimum Standards for Licensing Hospitals and Institutional General Infirmaries
My state, city, and hospital is and has been in the LOW RISK category for MTB for over 10 years. The CDC Targeted testing information sheet for HCWs is as follows:
Tuberculosis (TB) transmission has been documented in health care settings where workers and patients come
in contact with people who have TB disease. Periodic testing of health care workers is recommended as part of a TB Infection Control Plan and may be required by state regulations.
TB testing programs should include anyone working or volunteering in health-care settings. Persons (health
care workers and non- health care workers) who have face to face contact or potential exposure to TB through shared air or space with infectious patient(s) should be part of a TB testing program.
There are two types of testing for TB in health care workers.
·
Initial baseline testing upon hire: Two-step testing with a TB skin test or a TB blood test
·
Annual or serial screening: determined by state regulations or risk assessment outcomes.
·
TB Skin Test: Two-Step
Testing
Frequency of TB Testing
Health care facilities have different TB testing requirements. Facilities should conduct staff TB testing based on risk classification.
|
Risk classification |
Frequency of testing |
|
Low |
Baseline; then test if TB exposure occurs |
|
Medium |
Baseline, then annually |
|
Potential ongoing transmission |
Baseline, then every 8–10 weeks until evidence of transmission has ceased |
To determine the risk classification for your facility, review the infection control guidelines and complete
the
Appendix B. Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Worksheet(https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/guidelines/pdf/appendixb_092706.pdf) (PDF – 195k).
Contact your
State TB Control Program(https://www.cdc.gov/tb/links/tboffices.htm) for information about health care worker TB testing requirements in your state.
Baseline Testing
A baseline test should be given prior to employment. The result of this test can be compared with later
tests (due to potential exposure or as part of annual testing) to help determine if recent TB transmission has occurred in the facility.
Annual or Serial Testing
You may need to test for TB on a regular basis. To standardize the interpretation of results, the same test should be used for
the baseline and the later tests.
Please share your policies and ideas with me as this is an Infection Prevention and Employee Health policy change that is meeting a bit of resistance….. I appreciate
all your professional help!!!
Blessed,
Lisa
Lisa M. Shadowens, RN, CNOR.
St. Francis WorkWell Occupational Health
Employee Health Coordinator
135 Commonwealth Dr., Ste 120
Greenville, SC. 29615
Office 864.675.4681
Fax 864.675.4682
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