TBC patients, health check or no for staff?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi colleagues! I had a patient with a bloody cough a while back. She coughed me in the face. I asked about TBC-testing the patient, which hadnt been done, and they came back positive. I asked my boss about it and told her about my exposure but didnt get any reaction from her, but she is quite blasé no matter the subject. Should I ask for testing for myself or not?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Go to occupational health. That is where you follow up

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

In my facility, occupational health is notified if a patient who was not initially on airborne precautions tests positive. Every employee who came in contact with the patient is contacted and tested. Follow up with occupational health if they don't contact you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

Similar situation happened on my floor a while back. Patient ended up testing positive for TB while in the ICU....had been on my floor for several weeks. I initiated the rapid response that led to them being tubed on the floor as I was right in the room. Anyone who could have had any sort of exposure to the pt was tested x 2 (even if they were reasonably sure they hadn't been in the room even for a minute). Far as I know, everyone turned out negative which was a great relief. As others have said, contact occupational health if they don't contact you. Good luck!

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