TB testing at dialysis

[MedicalZebra]

Our unit requires patients to be tested for TB yearly... supposedly failure to take the test results in the patient having to dialyze somewhere else, although I have never seen this happen.

What is your unit's policy regarding TB testing for patients? Is it mandatory everywhere in the U.S., or can states set their own rules for this?

[jnette, ASN, EMT-I]

Nope.. not at our facility !

The STAFF does, however.

We do offer the Hep. B vaccine series to all our patients, but they have the right to refuse. As for mandatory TB testing, for staff only.

[nosonew, BSN, RN]

Our unit requires patients to be tested for TB yearly... supposedly failure to take the test results in the patient having to dialyze somewhere else, although I have never seen this happen.

What is your unit's policy regarding TB testing for patients? Is it mandatory everywhere in the U.S., or can states set their own rules for this?

Staff at our unit must take TB testing yearly, patients are not, but we do need a CXR yearly.

We also do a yearly evaluation each year as well...the normal questions like "persistent cough....change in cough....coughing up blood....loss of weight, not otherwise explained.....night sweats with other symptoms, etc.