Tuberculosis Infection Control: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Rex A. Ameigh; Jane R. Semler; Amy Freshley Lebkuecher; Perry M. Scanlan

doi:10.29074/ascls.28.1.27

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Rex A. Ameigh, MSLM, BSRT(R)
1. Austin Peay State University, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Clarksville, TN
Jane R. Semler, MS, MT(ASCP)
1. Austin Peay State University, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Clarksville, TN
Amy Freshley Lebkuecher, MS, RT(R)(T)
1. Austin Peay State University, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Clarksville, TN
Perry M. Scanlan, PhD, MT(ASCP)⇑
1. Austin Peay State University, Department of Allied Health Sciences, Clarksville, TN

Address for Correspondence: Perry M. Scanlan PhD, MT(ASCP), Austin Peay State University, Department of Allied Health Sciences P.O. Box 4668, Clarksville, TN 37044, 931-221-6495, scanlanp{at}apsu.edu

Abstract

Although tuberculosis rates have declined in the United States over the past 19 years, new cases and cases of drug resistant strains continue to appear. Healthcare workers are at particular risk for contracting tuberculosis as they care for those who are undergoing diagnosis. This article proposes an interdisciplinary tuberculosis management protocol which will reduce the exposure of laboratory and radiography staff to tuberculosis high risk patients during diagnostic testing. Further, we demonstrate the use of interdisciplinary diagnostic management teams to improve communication of tuberculosis exposure risk and reduce the infection of healthcare workers.

ABBREVIATIONS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), Infectious Dose (ID), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Electronic Health Record (EHR), high efficiency particulate air (HEPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)