Medical Center Occupational Health Basics-Appendix 6

Appendix 6

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The 2019 MMWR CDC/NTCA Recommendations highlight the importance of annual tuberculosis (TB) education for health care personnel (HCP). This education should cover essential topics such as the definitions and differences between active TB disease, latent TB infection, and progression/reactivation of TB. It should also include information on the signs and symptoms of active TB, transmission methods, and prevention strategies.<br /><br />HCP should also be informed about non-occupational risks for TB transmission and should have the option for voluntary TB testing. Understanding medical conditions that could increase the likelihood of latent TB progressing to active TB, such as immunocompromise, is crucial. Treatment regimens and the effectiveness of latent TB infection treatments are other key topics.<br /><br />For annual TB risk education, some risk factors have been identified for personnel who have never had a TB infection. These include spending over 30 days in a high-TB-rate country, close contact with individuals diagnosed with active TB, or spending time in facilities like jails or homeless shelters where TB is common. Those with these risk factors should consider getting a TB test and are advised to contact a specified service for voluntary testing.<br /><br />For those diagnosed with TB infection who haven't completed treatment, the risk of progressing to active TB disease increases if they are subject to immunosuppression, such as through HIV, organ transplants, or certain medications. These individuals should contact the necessary health departments or their primary care provider to discuss treatment to prevent progression. Health facilities should provide specific contact information for these services to ensure proper follow-up and treatment.

Keywords

tuberculosis

health care personnel

TB education

latent TB infection

active TB disease

TB transmission

TB prevention

TB risk factors

immunocompromised

TB treatment