PPD

[Moon child]

So I just got my annual PPD redone and I sent the results to the travel company I am starting with in October. The agency is now telling me that I have to take another PPD so that it's within one month of my start date... Has anyone ever heard of this ?!

I thought PPD's were an annual thing? Why would I need to get one in August and then another in September?

[NedRN]

Two step. Some hospitals want it within a week prior to start. Quantiferon blood test is good for one year - do that instead next chance you get.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Two step. Some hospitals want it within a week prior to start. Quantiferon blood test is good for one year - do that instead next chance you get.

Ned, quick question. I have a positive tb test hx. My home facility does the usual questionnaire every year and a quant. For my upcoming contract the coordinator at the travel agency says the particular hospital system I am going to will only accept a chest xray. Have you ever heard of this?

[NedRN]

Sure, but it is usually because the recruiter hasn't a clue. Nor should he really. Just tell him to submit the quantiferon to employee health. Full stop. It is possible that employee health has never come across quantiferon before as was common just two years ago, but five minutes of research should convince them that it is far more accurate than a CXR and a TB questionnaire. By the way, the hospital I'm headed for next week requires a TB questionnaire for both a CXR or quant.