No More TB Tests?

[adventure_rn]

My hospital, a large well-renowned research institution, recently announced that clinical staff wouldn't have to do routine annual TB tests anymore. It is still required for new staff, and we will have to do an annual screening questionnaire with a follow-up test if we have TB symptoms.

Has anybody else ever experienced this? I never thought I'd see the day. At my last job, we had to do two PPDs and a quantiferon blood test every year. ? Bright side, as nurses they let us 'read' our own PPDs after the two days so we didn't have to come in for a follow-up visit.

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

We used to do Tb tests on every child in Kg and staff every 2 yrs. Then it was for every new out of state student and staff only when hired. Then it was for every out of country student. Now it's only for any student who visited a 'high risk' country and was there at least four months unless they are showing symptoms. We were told it was due to a Tb test shortage. Interesting...

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

My current hospital and my former hospital don’t routinely test, but have yearly questionnaires. I end up getting it every year because we travel out of the US. I’m guessing so many hospitals are adopting this change relatively quickly because it’s cheaper not to test.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

11 hours ago, Blue_Moon said:

We used to do Tb tests on every child in Kg and staff every 2 yrs. Then it was for every new out of state student and staff only when hired.

WHAAAT? Wow. My boss when I worked in TB used to say "a decision to test is a decision to treat." What was the return on testing investment?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

We stopped annual testing for staff a few years ago. As soon as we got word that we were in a low risk geographic area and annual mantoux's were no longer required. Now we screen new staff only.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

On 2/13/2019 at 8:48 AM, OldDude said:

At the local children's hospital I work prn with...they required all the employees to submit to a blood test; if negative, then no more TB testing required.

I've never actually heard of the blood test, just PPD and X-ray. What is the test called?

[NICUmiiki, DNP, NP]

26 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:

I've never actually heard of the blood test, just PPD and X-ray. What is the test called?

Quantiferon Gold

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

46 minutes ago, NICUmiiki said:

Quantiferon Gold

Thanks! (Although the test sounds like some new Power Ranger...)

[Julius Seizure]

I just recently had my annual quantiferon test. I don't even provide direct patient care.

[Guest936851]

If you look at the background prevalence of active TB per 100,000 in the U.S., it makes sense that facilities are moving away from scheduled testing.