The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) mandates a medical evaluation of all healthcare workers, including TB screening, prior to employment in hospitals and diagnostics and treatment centers in NY state. The approved TB screening are IGRA (Interferon gamma release assay) and two-step tuberculin skin test (TST). These test are designed to identify latent TB infection.
Healthcare workers (HCW) are at high risk of hospital-acquired infections such as TB. They are also at high risk of transmitting TB to patients at the hospital whose immune system is already weak. About 2 billion people have latent TB infection. People who do not have active TB might still be at risk for latent TB which can be identified and treated promptly before exposing them to others. …show more content…
Health care workers without active TB but with positive tests indicates they might have latent TB which requires further investigation with chest X- rays. This policy provides a protocol for health care facilities to follow to reduce exposing patients and other medical staff to TB positive
Healthcare workers (HCW) are at high risk of hospital-acquired infections such as TB. They are also at high risk of transmitting TB to patients at the hospital whose immune system is already weak. About 2 billion people have latent TB infection. People who do not have active TB might still be at risk for latent TB which can be identified and treated promptly before exposing them to others. …show more content…
Health care workers without active TB but with positive tests indicates they might have latent TB which requires further investigation with chest X- rays. This policy provides a protocol for health care facilities to follow to reduce exposing patients and other medical staff to TB positive