CDC changes TB education, screening, treatment recommendations

Online training offered at your reappointment time

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new recommendations for all health care personnel regarding tuberculosis screening, testing and treatment of Latent TB Infection (LTBI) that include the following:

• History and symptoms screening at baseline (preplacement/new hires)
• Testing with an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) or skin test for persons without documented prior TB disease or LTBI
• No routine serial testing other than at baseline (except in case of known exposure and for areas of potential increased risk such as ED, RT, endo and microlab)
• Treatment — strongly encouraged — for all health care personnel with untreated LTBI
• Annual screening (history and symptoms) for health care personnel with untreated LTBI
• Annual education of all health care personnel

Salem Health’s annual TB education requirement was sent in early September to all Salem Health employees. Providers with Salem Health privileges will also have the opportunity to complete the TB education at their reappointment time. The computer-based training explains LTBI versus active TB disease, risk factors and symptoms associated with TB and recommendations for those with LTBI to seek treatment by their PCP. 

At the end of the module, those with known LTBI or positive TB test on their most recent test will complete the TB History and Symptoms form to return to Employee Health. 

The new guidelines state:

“Health care personnel with LTBI and no prior treatment should be offered, and strongly encouraged to complete, treatment with a recommended regimen, including short-course treatments, unless a contraindication exists.  Health care personnel who do not complete LTBI treatment should be monitored with annual symptom evaluation to detect early evidence of TB disease and to reevaluate the risks and benefits of LTBI treatment.”

Employees with known or suspected LTBI will receive a letter encouraging them to discuss LTBI treatment with their primary care provider. 

For more information, read the CDC’s article Tuberculosis Screening, Testing and Treatment of U.S. Health Care Personnel: Recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC, 2019.

Feel free to contact me with questions at employee health by email or phone (503-814-7252).