TB Exposure
Purpose
To test and evaluate employees who have had an exposure to a person with active tuberculosis. Exposed employees are screened with TB skin testing at baseline and 10-12 weeks following the exposure. TB baseline test may be the annual test if this has been completed within the past 12 months or less.
Procedure
- If a person with active tuberculosis or a suspicion of active TB was seen in the health care site, Employee Health Service should be called to report the exposure. EHS will contact Infection Control Services and they will conduct an investigation regarding exposure. The off-site clinic may first hear of an exposure through Infection Control Services who monitors microbiology data for any evidence of tuberculosis.
- Infection Control Services will develop the list of exposed employees based on the circumstances of exposure of each health care worker to the infected patient.
- Employee Health Service will notify all employees involved in a potential TB exposure. Information about the exposure period and follow-up testing will be included.
- Tuberculin skin test negative employees who have not had a skin test within the past 12 months are contacted to have a baseline TB skin test done. Follow-up testing is completed 10-12 weeks after the last possible date of exposure. EHS will notify employees when they are due for the follow-up skin test. Skin test screening will enable EHS to determine whether any employee in our health care system may have been infected with Tuberculosis as a result of an occupational exposure. Post-exposure TB skin testing is mandatory.
- Document TB test was applied and read using the on-line TB documentation form which will be sent electronically to Employee Health Service.
- Tuberculin skin test positive employees are given information regarding their exposure and educated regarding the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis.
- Any employee who tests positive either at the baseline or at the follow-up test should be reported to Employee Health Service for follow-up.
