Positive ppd test

HamsterRN, ADN, RN · Aug 10, 2010

A PPD tests for your body's reaction to the toxin that can be due to: Having TB, being exposed to TB, and being sensitized to the toxin as a result of numerous PPD tests. Our hospital no longer tests staff using PPD's because eventually everyone turns positive and they become useless. We don't do regular CXR's either, we only test based on symptoms or known exposures.

caljen1974 · Nov 17, 2010

Isn't that a bad idea?

mentalhealthRN · Nov 17, 2010

mom2michael said:
A positive PPD test means you've been exposed to TB, doesn't mean you have it. A chest X-ray will probably be the next thing and then they'll go from there. A co-worker of mine tests positive every time we do ours, she has her Xray to make sure it hasn't progressed since the last time she had one and all is good. She has tested positive for the last 15 or so years she said and her X-rays always look the same.

WHY in the world does your co-worker keep getting tested!?!? Standard of care is that once you test positive for PPD exposure you should never have a test again. Just the CXR. The CDC guidlines are once a +PPD yearly screening for s/s and if the screen indicates any possible symptoms then the person needs a CXR. Some places are still practicing the old guidelines which were an annual CXR--regardless of if any symptoms or not but to decrease the exposure to unnecessary x-rays the guideline had changed.

AnonEmus · Dec 29, 2010

According to my healthcare provider, a Quantiferon Gold test costs $512. According to Aetna, my health insurance company, the charge at Aetna's agreed upon pricing is $156.42. Since my family had already met the deductible and then some, I didn't have to pay anything for my Quantiferon Gold test. The provider was paid $156.42 by Aetna.

If you are going to pay for this test, you should be aware that the actual lab analysis must be done within 12 hours of blood sample collection.

Three tubes are drawn, in case anybody is wondering.

summergirl01 · Oct 21, 2011

In the past couple of years my PPD started showing a raised red patch (approx. 11 cm) that made my employer question if I was positive....even though it was not big enough to be positive based on my work setting (outpatient low-risk facility) and looked more like an allergic reaction than a positive test. They freaked out anyway and made me get a chest x-ray which was negative. They would not pay for the chest x-ray stating that it was the responsibility of my family doctor to order it and my insurance to pay for it (my deductible is $3000). I asked my employer and my family doctor if I could just have the blood test. My doctor said his office "doesn't do those" and my employer said it costs too much. So they left me in limbo. I found a way to order the blood test myself (a little over $100) and sure enough it was negative. The moral of my story...before you subject yourself to needless radiation or a medication with serious side effects...get the blood test. There are websites online where you can order it yourself and then go to a certified lab in your area. Then at least you will know for sure if you have been truly exposed or not. Also, it seems that most healthcare workers (including those in high positions) don't really have a clue when it comes to TB testing. I think the PPD should be replaced with the blood test.