Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 1, Number 3, June 1995
Abstract
As part of an effort to comply with OSHA mandated and CDC recommended measures (1) to protect Health Care Workers (HCW) from occupationally acquired tuberculosis (TB) infections, an aggressive PPD skin testing program was instituted at WRAMC. The guidelines recommend using the data gathered in such a screening program to analyze TB infection risk by occupational group and location in the hospital. Of note, 30 cases of culture proven Mycobacterium tuberculosis were treated at WRAMC in 1992, 17 cases in 1993, and 10 cases in 1994. The screening program consisted of mandatory PPD skin testing of all new employees (phase I) and a hospital wide intensive screening for current employees from February 26 to March 21, 1995 (phase II). The results of the program from September 1, 1994 to March 21, 1995 are shown in figure 1. As of March 21, 1995, 2,998 HCW's (53.8%) had been evaluated. Those with PPDs greater than 5 mm or previously positive PPDs who were untreated were referred for further evaluation (see Table 1). The high follow-up rate observed during phase I was due to enforcement of the PPD testing requirement before allowing workers to begin employment. The intensive screening effort during phase II was judged a success because it resulted in an 84.9% follow-up rate of applied PPD skin tests compared with rates of less than 50% from previous efforts among current employees. One case of active pulmonary TB was discovered in a laboratory worker due to the screening program. This worker had no direct patient contact and did not work with microbiological specimens.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA499352
Entities
People
- Bruce H. Jones
- John Brundage
- Mark V Rubertone
- Sharon L. Ludwig
- Vincent P. Fonseca
Organizations
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center