Why can't a resident read a TB test?

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

I just had my annual TB test placed and I think it's weird an intern or resident can't read one. I wonder what the reasoning is. Anyone know? The form says any licensed professional except an intern or resident. Is it because they aren't officially licensed yet? But they are still an MD, and it's not exactly rocket science.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

It's probably facility specific. In my experience, there have been a lot of stupid rules about reading TB tests. When I worked in the hospital, only a select few nurses on each floor were allowed to plant or read them on another staff members. But if you walked yourself over to Occ Health to have it read because none of those select nurses were around, the secretary was the one to read it.

[RN403, BSN, RN]

I agree with the PP, it probably varies from facility to facility. I have had my TB tests read by medical assistants and once by a resident when the medical assistant was unsure.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Yeah I had always heard only certain nurses could read them when I came to this facility which I thought was strange because at my prior facility any RN could do so. Employee health told me today any RN can. I hope they are right as I'm a weekender and was hesitant to have it placed today. Hopefully I won't be scrambling for someone to read it Sunday.

[SierraBravo]

Same thing in our facility, you have to go to a "class" to be a PPD reader.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes that is not unusual. I am a certified placer and reader.Employees are so happy when they find me and I can do it for them.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

Well apparently our policy has changed from it being an exclusive thing to any RN being able to do so.

[RNKPCE]

I think it is weird that we can read patient's TB test but only designated readers can read staff's TB test. I'm assuming this is a liability thing. We are switching over to blood test so this won't matter anymore.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Thinking it's because they are not able to document the results.

[heartnursing]

It's probably facility specific. In my experience, there have been a lot of stupid rules about reading TB tests. When I worked in the hospital, only a select few nurses on each floor were allowed to plant or read them on another staff members. But if you walked yourself over to Occ Health to have it read because none of those select nurses were around, the secretary was the one to read it.

That's so bizarre.. almost insulting...

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Can't address specifics of various facilities and their policies, but wanted to make a quick note about PPD placement/reading in general.

Incorrect placement of a PPD can easily result in a false negative; I've seen this happen when I'm the one doing the repeat PPD and find that it's most definitely positive (not even borderline). This happens most often when (after a little investigation I find) it's someone who rarely places one that did that one. And when it comes to reading, different risk groups can and do have different results; one person's "positive" is another person's "negative".

Until my current job, I had never seen a positive PPD; at this point, I've seen many, of varying sizes and reactions. And I still ask another (experienced PPD) nurse to give a second opinion on ones that I think are "on the fence"!

Our facility does not allow anyone other than MD, RN, or LPN to read or place PPDs, and if I have my druthers, I do my best to PLACE the ones I'm going to READ....and vice versa.

[sourapril]

Don't even get me started on TB skin test. The rules are mostly decided by your facility. There is no universal standard for which health care professionals can read, why some facilities require two-steps and some only require one, why some facilities don't like other facilities to read the skin test they place, etc.....CDC is not helpful either, they just say to consult your state TB people if you have any questions.