TB Screening

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Sep 8, 2008

I believe it's up to each county, as to what their requirements are. My county's public school system stopped requiring Tb screening in 1998, but selective screening may be done at the direction of the local health dept. Maybe that's why you're having a hard time finding anything?

prmenrs, RN · Sep 8, 2008

In my border community, I think most kids get a skin test (Mantoux) before kindergarten. It's done @ the pediatrician or public health clinic, not @ school.

michigooseBSN · Sep 8, 2008

In Massachusetts most pediatricians screen for "Tbc risk" as part of a physical. We (my state) require a negative Mantoux test or neg CXR for new enterers from abroad except from North America, Northern Europe and Japan. There are no exceptions to this because this is for the protection of the other students. I've had Asian parents who are MDs insist their kid is Tbc free but I have the backing of my school district and the DPH and they're not allowed in until I have written proof of negativity.

cali_nurse_1976 · Sep 17, 2008

In California, the decision on requiring a TST for school is up to each county. For instance, our county health department is having a lot of budget problems and has shut down their TB control program. They recently announced that TB testing for kinders is not required. Of course they say it's because the risk is low. However in a neighboring county, where I was a PHN, we had a huge outbreak in a high school resulting in about 8 or 9 active cases. I think you have to weigh the risk factors of your population and decide then. Also, you have to make sure you have the resources available for prophy treatment if you find a positive TST.