Another Nursing task is lost?

[CaliBoy760]

I work for the VA and I got word that I needed my annual TB test. So I asked an RN if she would place the Tuberculin for me. She told me that the orders were for THREE vials to be drawn in the Lab. ??? So I go to the lab and sure enough they draw three vials. I was told that it's a new TB test. No more intradermal injections! I don't work in Primary Care so maybe this is old news, although I had never heard of it. Anyone else?

[spoild2588]

I just had a tb done yesterday at my pcp's office. It was intradermal.

[Madras]

I thought it was wierd too! Went to employee health and the MA drew my blood for the test. Its a Quantiferon test. It seems the hospitals are going this route rather than tb test then coming back in two days and having it read.

At the pcp office I also work at we're still doing intradermals.

[RegenerativeNurse, ASN, LPN, RN]

I thought it was wierd too! Went to employee health and the MA drew my blood for the test. Its a Quantiferon test. It seems the hospitals are going this route rather than tb test then coming back in two days and having it read. At the pcp office I also work at we're still doing intradermals.

I'm guessing maybe it's just the hospitals. I was sent to a place by my agency for all types of pre employment screenings including PPD and the nurse (who somehow managed to have me bleeding after the shot) gave me the intradermal shot.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Low risk of false positive with blood test so reduces risk of extra x-rays, antibiotics just in case when a test is equivocal, etc. my sister's allied health grad program for speech pathology required the blood test for anyone going to do clinical placements with high risk population ( those more likely to have been exposed such as homeless, certain immigrant populations) or pediatrics. Other settings 2-step intradermal were acceptable.

One of my employers offers the option of blood test or 2- step PPD.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

There is presently a shortage of the PPD serum. So present options are to do a TB questionnaire screening , provide proof of negative chest x-ray & treatment , or the blood test. Hospitals and high risk areas are recommended to offer the blood test.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Here's the health alert from the CDC regarding the shortage of PPD

http://emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00355.asp