Slide Set— Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of M. tuberculosis in 

Health-Care Settings, 2005

Text Only Version

Slide 1

Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of M. tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005

Division of Tuberculosis Elimination

December 2006 note: Slide #123 has been edited.

Image: collage of health care workers

Slide 2

Purpose of 2005 Guidelines

 Update and replace 1994 Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection control (IC) guidelines

 Further reduce threat to health-care workers (HCWs)

 Expand guidelines to nontraditional settings

 Simplify procedures for assessing risk

 Promote vigilance and expertise needed to avert another TB resurgence

Slide 3

What’s New (1)

 Change of risk classification and tuberculin skin test (TST) frequency

 Expanded scope addressing lab, outpatient, and nontraditional settings

 Expanded definitions of affected HCWs

 “TST” instead of “PPD”

Slide 4

What’s New (2)

 QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G)

 QFT-G is a type of blood assay for M. tuberculosis (BAMT)

 – Measures the patient’s immune system reaction to M. tuberculosis

– Blood samples must be processed within 12 hours

– Interpretation of QFT-G results is influenced by the patient’s risk for infection with M. tuberculosis

– An alternative to TST

Slide 5

What’s New (3)

 Term “airborne infection isolation” (AII)

 Criteria for initiating and discontinuing AII precautions
 Respirator fit testing and training; voluntary use of respirators by visitors

 Additional information on ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)

 Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Slide 6

Change in Risk Classifications

Previous New

Minimal Low

Very low Medium

Low Potential ongoing transmission

Intermediate

High

Slide 7

HCWs Who May Be Included in a TB Testing Program

 Paid and unpaid persons working in health-care settings who have potential for exposure to M. 

tuberculosis through shared air space with infectious patient

 Includes part-time, full-time, temporary, and contract staff

 All HCWs whose duties involve face-to-face contact with suspected or confirmed TB should be in a TB 

screening program

Slide 8

Transmission of M. tuberculosis

 Spread by airborne route; droplet nuclei

 Transmission affected by

 – Infectiousness of patient

– Environmental conditions

– Duration of exposure

 Most exposed persons do not become infected

Slide 9

TB Pathogenesis (1)

Latent TB Infection

 Once inhaled, bacteria travel to lung alveoli and establish infection

 2–12 wks after infection, immune response limits activity; infection is detectable

 Some bacteria survive and remain dormant but viable for years (latent TB infection, or LTBI)

Slide 10

TB Pathogenesis (2)

Latent TB Infection
 Persons with LTBI are

 – Asymptomatic

– Not infectious

 LTBI formerly diagnosed only with TST

 Now QFT-G can be used

Slide 11

TB Pathogenesis (3)

Active TB Disease

LTBI progresses to TB disease in

 Small number of persons soon after infection

 5%–10% of persons with untreated LTBI sometime during lifetime

 About 10% of persons with HIV and untreated LTBI per year

Slide 12

Persons at Higher Risk for Exposure to and Infection with M. tuberculosis (1)

 Close contacts

 Foreign-born persons from or areas with high TB incidence

 Residents and staff of high-risk congregate settings

 Health-care workers who serve high-risk clients

Slide 13

Persons at Higher Risk for Exposure to and Infection with M. tuberculosis (2)

 HCWs unknowingly exposed to TB patient

 Low-income, medically underserved groups

 Locally defined high-risk groups

 Young persons exposed to high-risk adults

Slide 14

Persons at High Risk for LTBI Progressing to TB Disease

 Persons coinfected with HIV and M. tuberculosis (highest risk)

 Those with recent M. tuberculosis infection (within 2 years)

 Children under 4 years of age

 Persons with certain clinical conditions or other conditions of compromised immunity

 Those with a history of untreated or poorly treated TB

Slide 15

TB Patient Characteristics That Increase Risk for Infectiousness (1)
 Coughing

 Undergoing cough-inducing or aerosol-generating procedure

 Failing to cover cough

 Having cavitation on chest radiograph

Slide 16

TB Patient Characteristics That Increase Risk for Infectiousness (2)

 Positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smear result

 Disease of respiratory tract and larynx

 Disease of respiratory tract and lung

or pleura

 Inadequate TB treatment

Slide 17

Environmental Factors That Increase Risk for Transmission

 Exposure in small, enclosed spaces

 Inadequate ventilation

 Recirculating air containing infectious droplets

 Inadequate cleaning and disinfection of equipment

 Improper specimen-handling procedures

Slide 18

Risk for Health-care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis (1)

Risk varies by

 TB prevalence in health-care setting

 TB prevalence in community

 Patient population served

 Health-care worker occupational group

 Effectiveness of infection control measures

Slide 19

Risk for Health-care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis (2)

Linked to close contact with infectious TB patients during procedures generating aerosols

 Bronchoscopy

 Endotracheal intubation or suctioning

 Open abscess irrigation

 Autopsy

 Sputum induction

 Aerosol treatments
Slide 20

Previous Health-care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis (1)

In hospital TB outbreaks, 1980s–1990s

 MDR TB spread to patients and HCWs

 Many patients, some HIV-infected HCWs

 Rapid progression from new infection to disease

 Factors

 – Delayed diagnosis

– Lapses in AII precautions

– Lapses in respiratory protection

Slide 21

Previous Health-care–Associated Transmission of M. tuberculosis (2)

Follow-up

 Transmission much decreased or ceased in a setting when recommended infection control interventions 

implemented

 However, effectiveness of each intervention could not be determined

Slide 22

Fundamentals of Infection Control (1)

Hierarchy of Infection Control

 Administrative Controls [two administrators working at a table]

 Environmental Controls [female patient in bed]

 Respiratory Protection [female health care worker wearing an N-95 respirator]

Slide 23

Fundamentals of Infection Control (2)

Hierarchy of Infection Control

 Administrative controls: reduce risk of exposure via effective IC program

 Environmental controls: prevent spread and reduce concentration of droplet nuclei

 Respiratory protection controls: further reduce risk of exposure in special areas and circumstances

Slide 24

Administrative Controls (1)

Most Important

 Assign responsibility for TB infection control (IC)

 Work with health department to conduct TB risk assessment and develop written TB IC plan, including 

AII precautions

 Ensure timely lab processing and reporting

 Implement effective work practices for managing TB patients
Slide 25

Administrative Controls (2)

 Test and evaluate HCWs at risk for TB or for exposure to M. tuberculosis

 Train HCWs about TB infection control

 Ensure proper cleaning of equipment

 Use appropriate signage advising cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene

Slide 26

Environmental Controls

 Control source of infection

 Dilute and remove contaminated air

 Control airflow (clean air to less-clean air)

Slide 27

Respiratory Protection (RP) Controls

 Implement RP program

 Train HCWs in RP

 Train patients in respiratory hygiene

Slide 28

Relevance to Biologic Terrorism Preparedness

 Multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis is classified as a category C agent of biologic terrorism

 Implementing guidelines in this document is essential to preventing the transmission of M. tuberculosis

in health-care settings

Slide 29

Recommendations for Preventing M. tuberculosis Transmission in Health-Care Settings

[Image: four health care workers]

Slide 30

Develop an Infection Control (IC) Program

 Perform TB risk assessments in all settings

 Develop TB IC program as part of overall IC program

 Base IC program on risk assessment

 Determine details of IC program by likelihood that persons with TB will be encountered in that setting 

or transferred to another setting

Slide 31
Infection Control Program (1)

Settings Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Assign and train TB IC program manager

 Collaborate with local health department to develop administrative controls, including

 – Risk assessment

– Written TB IC plan, including protocols for identifying, evaluating, managing infectious TB patients

– Testing and evaluation of HCWs

– Training and education of HCWs

– Problem evaluation and contact investigation

– Coordination of discharge

Slide 32

Infection Control Program (2)

Settings Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Develop plan for accepting TB patients or suspects transferred from another setting

 Implement and maintain environmental controls, including AII rooms

 Implement RP program

 Provide ongoing training and education of HCWs

Slide 33

Infection Control Program (3)

Settings Not Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Assign responsibility for TB IC program

 Collaborate with local health department to develop administrative controls, including

 – Risk assessment

– Written TB IC plan that outlines protocol for triage and transfer of TB patients to another health-care 

setting

– Problem evaluation and contact investigation

Slide 34

TB Risk Assessment (1)

Settings Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Collaborate with health department to review community TB profile, obtain epidemiologic data for risk 

assessment

 Review number of TB patients encountered

 Determine

 – HCWs to be included in TB testing and in RP program

– Instances of unrecognized TB

– Number of AII rooms needed

– Types of environmental controls needed

Slide 35

TB Risk Assessment (2)

Settings Expecting to Encounter TB Patients
 Identify and address areas with increased transmission risk

 Ensure prompt recognition and evaluation of M. tuberculosis transmission in setting

 Conduct periodic reassessments

 Correct lapses in IC

Slide 36

TB Risk Assessment (3)

Settings Not Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Collaborate with health department to review community TB profile; obtain epidemiologic data for risk 

assessment

 Determine

 – If any HCWs need to be included in TB screening program

– If unrecognized TB occurred in last 5 years

– Types of controls in place, types needed

Slide 37

TB Risk Assessment (4)

Settings Not Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

 Document steps for prompt recognition and evaluation of suspected M. tuberculosis transmission

 Conduct periodic reassessments

 Correct any lapses in IC

Slide 38

TB Risk Classifications (1)

All settings should perform risk classification as part of risk assessment to determine need for and frequency of 

an HCW testing program, regardless of likelihood of encountering persons with TB disease.

Slide 39

TB Risk Classifications (2)

 Low risk – Persons with TB disease not expected to be encountered; exposure unlikely

 Medium risk – HCWs will or might be exposed to persons with TB disease

 Potential ongoing transmission – Temporary classification for any settings with evidence of person-toperson transmission of M. tuberculosis

Slide 40

TB Risk Classifications (3)

Inpatient SettingsLow Medium Potential

Ongoing Transmission

<200 beds <3 TB patients/yr>3 TB patients/yrEvidence of ongoing transmission, 

≥200 beds <6 TB patients/yr>6 TB patients/yrregardless of setting
Slide 41

TB Risk Classifications (4)

Outpatient Settings Low Medium Potential Ongoing Transmission

TB treatment facilities, medical offices, 

ambulatory care settings

<3 TB 

patients/yr

>3 TB 

patients/yr

Evidence of ongoing transmission, 

regardless of setting

Slide 42

TB Risk Classifications (5)

Nontraditional Facility-based 

Settings

Low Medium Potential Ongoing 

Transmission

Emergency medical service (EMS), 

medical settings in correctional 

facilities, outreach care, long-term 

care facilities

Only patients with LTBI 

treated 

No cough-inducing 

procedures are performed in 

setting

System to 

detect/triage persons with 

TB symptoms

Settings where TB 

patients are expected 

to be encountered

Evidence of ongoing 

transmission 

regardless of setting

Slide 43

TB Risk Classification Example

Small Hospital

 150-bed hospital in small city

 2 TB patients admitted in past year

 – 1 placed directly in AII room

– 1 stayed on medical ward 2 days before AII placement

 Contact investigation showed no evidence of transmission

Risk classification: Low

Slide 44

Risk Classification Example

Public Health Clinic

 Ambulatory-care setting where TB clinic is held 2 days/week

 In past year, 6 TB patients and 50 LTBI patients treated

 No evidence of transmission

Risk classification: Medium

Slide 45
Risk Classification Example

Public Hospital

 Large public hospital in big city

 – Average of 150 TB patients/year (35% of city burden)

– Strong IC program; many AII rooms

– Annual TST conversion rate among HCWs of 0.5%

 Hospital has strong links with health department

 No evidence of transmission

Risk classification: Medium, with close ongoing surveillance for episodes of transmission

Slide 46

Risk Classification Example

Prison Setting

 Inpatient area of a correctional facility

 Some inmates are from TB-prevalent countries

 In past year, 2 cases of TB diagnosed in inmates

Risk classification: Medium

Slide 47

Risk Classification Example

Large Hospital

 Big-city hospital with 35 TB patients/year

 TST conversion rate among HCWs of 1.0%

 At annual testing, 3/20 (15%) respiratory therapists (RTs) had TST conversions

 Problem evaluation

 – The 3 RTs who converted spent time in lab where induced sputum specimens were collected, and lab 

venting was inadequate

Risk classification:

1. Potential ongoing transmission for the RTs

2. Medium risk for the rest of the setting

Slide 48

Risk Classification Example

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Clinic

 Ambulatory-care center associated with a large HMO where TB rates are highest in the state

 In past year, 1 TB patient presented

 At first visit patient was

 – Recognized as having TB

– Sent to an emergency department with an AII room
– Held separately and asked to wear a mask before triage

 Contact investigation showed no evidence of transmission

Risk classification: Low

Slide 49

Risk Classification Example

HIV-Care Clinic

 Hospital-affiliated HIV clinic serving 2,000 patients

 Has AII room and a TB IC program

 All patients screened for TB at enrollment

 – Those with respiratory complaints placed in AII

 In past year, 7 patients found to have TB

 – All 7 promptly put in an AII room

– No contact investigation done

– Annual conversion rate of 0.3% (same as rate in hosp)

Risk classification: Medium (because of

HIV-infected persons)

Slide 50

Risk Classification Example

Home Care Agency

 Home health-care agency serving a poor area with TB rates higher than overall community

 Has 125 employees

 – About 30% of workers are foreign-born (FB), many immigrated within past 5 years

– Provide nursing, physical therapy, basic home care

– On baseline 2-step testing, 4 had (+) initial result; 2 had (+) second result (3 of 4 are FB); no TB 

disease.

 In past year, agency had no TB patients

Risk classification: Low. Could be medium if FB workers are from TB-prevalent countries, or large number of 

clients are HIV infected.

Slide 51

TB Testing Frequency

Risk classification Frequency

Low Baseline on hire; further testing not needed unless 

exposure occurs

Medium Baseline, then annually

Potential ongoing 

transmission

Baseline, then every 8–10 wks until evidence of 

transmission has ceased

Slide 52
Testing HCWs Who Transfer

 All HCWs should receive baseline TB testing

 In IC plans, address HCWs who transfer to another setting

 Keep all historic testing results; in future, might need to interpret results of TST vs. QFT-G

Slide 53

TB Testing Frequency for HCWs Who Transfer

Situation

Risk Classification Change

Low→Low Low→Med Low or Med → Potential Ongoing Transmission

Baseline Yes Yes Yes

Routine testingNo Every 12 months As needed in investigation

After exposure Yes, and if TST negative, 8–10 wks after last potential exposure to M. tuberculosis

Slide 54

Evaluating TB IC Procedures and Identifying Problems (1)

 Annually evaluate TB IC plan

 Review medical records of a sample of patients with suspected or confirmed TB disease to find possible 

problems in TB IC

 Use data from risk assessment worksheet in conducting review

Slide 55

Evaluating TB IC Procedures and Identifying Problems (2)

Factors to consider in TB IC evaluation

 Time intervals for all related activities

 Duration of AII precautions

 Extent of meeting criteria for discontinuing AII precautions

 Patient history of previous admissions

 Adequacy of TB treatment regimens

 Adequacy of sputum collection procedures

 Adequacy of discharge planning

 Number of visits to outpatient setting

Slide 56

Evaluating Environmental Controls (1)

 Determine if recommended environmental controls are in place by reviewing recent environmental 

evaluation

 Review environmental control maintenance procedures and logs

 Use guidelines from American Institute of Architects (AIA) to review environmental control design 

specifications

 Evaluate performance of installed system
Slide 57

Evaluating Environmental Controls (2)

 Assess number and type of aerosol-generating procedures performed in the setting

 Determine if the number of AII rooms is adequate for the setting based on AIA guidelines and the risk 

assessment

Slide 58

Suggested Components of Initial TB Training and Education for HCWs

 Clinical information

 Epidemiology of TB: local, U.S., global

 Recommended IC practices

 TB and conditions of compromised immunity

 Role of public health in TB control

Slide 59

Managing TB Patients: General Recommendations

[Image: health care worker collecting a sputum sample from a patient]

Slide 60

Prompt Triage

Think TB!

 Primary TB risk to HCWs is patient with undiagnosed or unrecognized infectious TB

 Promptly initiate AII precautions and manage or transfer patients with suspected or confirmed TB

 – Ask about and evaluate for TB

– Check for signs and symptoms

– Mask symptomatic patients

– Separate immunocompromised patients

Slide 61

Criteria for Initiating AII Precautions

 Patient has symptoms or signs of TB disease

Or

 Patient has documented infectious TB disease and has not completed anti-TB treatment

Slide 62

Criteria for Discontinuing AII Precautions

 Infectious TB is unlikely and another diagnosis is made that explains the syndrome
Or

 Patient has 3 consecutive negative AFB sputum smear results, and

 Patient has received standard antituberculosis treatment (minimum of 2 weeks), and

 Patient has demonstrated clinical improvement

Slide 63

Frequency of Sputum Collection for Patients with Suspected TB Disease

 Three negative sputum smears

 At least 8 hours apart

 At least one collected during early morning

 In most cases, patients with negative sputum smear results may be released from AII in 2 days

Slide 64

AII Policies and Practices (1)

 AII rooms should be single-patient rooms with a private bathroom

 Environmental factors and entry of visitors and HCWs should be controlled to minimize transmission of 

M. tuberculosis

 HCWs who enter should wear at least N95 disposable respirators

 Visitors to AII rooms can be offered respiratory protection and should be instructed in respirator use

Slide 65

AII Policies and Practices (2)

 Diagnose and treat in the AII room

 Ensure patient adheres to AII precautions

 Separate patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease from HCWs and other patients

 Schedule patients with suspected or confirmed infectious TB disease for procedures when a minimum 

number of HCWs and other patients are present

 Provide a surgical or procedure mask for suspected or confirmed infectious TB patients during transport, 

in waiting areas, and when others are present

Slide 66

AII Room Policies and Practices

 Keep doors closed as much as possible

 Maintain adequate number of AII rooms

 Check room for negative pressure daily when in use

 Group AII rooms together

Slide 67

Clinical Diagnosis
 Obtain medical history and physical exam

 Place patients with suspected or known infectious TB disease under AII precautions until determined to 

be noninfectious

 Evaluate persons with extrapulmonary TB for concurrent pulmonary TB disease

 Although normally not infectious, children should be evaluated for infectiousness

Slide 68

Laboratory Diagnosis

 Ensure lab personnel are skilled in all aspects of specimen processing

 Staff should have access to most rapid methods available and add others as available

 Labs should report positive results to clinicians with 24 hours of obtaining result

 Ensure that labs report drug susceptibility results on M. tuberculosis isolates as soon as they are 

available, and that the results are sent to the local or state health department promptly

Slide 69

AII Precautions for Settings Not Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

Setting Administrative 

Controls

Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Triage 

only

Written plan for 

triage 

Separate holding 

area

As needed in holding areas for 

suspected/confirmed TB patients

As needed for HCWs who attend patients 

during transfer; offer surgical mask to patient 

if no holding room

Slide 70

AII Precautions for Settings Expecting to Encounter TB Patients

Setting Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Patient 

rooms

Written AII policies 

Persons with suspected/ 

confirmed TB placed in AII 

room

≥1 inpatient AII room 

Air cleaning to increase air 

changes/ hour (ACH)

For anyone entering room of patient 

with suspected/ confirmed infectious 

TB

Slide 71

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Emergency Department/Medical Office/Ambulatory-Care Setting

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Promptly detect, evaluate, and 

separate patients with suspected 

or confirmed TB.

≥1 AII room for settings with high volume 

of suspected or confirmed TB patients, or 

effectively vented room + air cleaning

At least N95 RP for anyone 

entering AII rooms of persons with 

suspected or confirmed infectious 

TB

Slide 72

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Intensive Care Units
Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Place patient with suspected or 

confirmed TB in AII room, if 

possible.

≥1 AII room for settings with high 

volume of suspected or confirmed TB 

patients. 

To prevent contamination risk, place 

bacterial filter on vented patient’s 

endotracheal tube.

At least N95 RP for anyone who enters 

AII rooms of persons with suspected or 

confirmed infectious TB.

Slide 73

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Surgical Suites or Operating Rooms (OR)

Administrative 

Controls

Environmental 

Controls

Respiratory 

Protection 

Controls

Postpone nonurgent procedures 

on 

suspected/confirmed 

TB patients until 

known to be noninfectious. 

Do procedure at end 

of day and during 

low traffic times.

OR anteroom 

should be either 

positive 

pressure 

relative to both 

OR and 

corridor, or 

negative 

relative to both 

OR and 

corridor. If no 

anteroom, keep 

OR door 

closed, 

minimize 

traffic. 

Provide sterile 

field while 

preventing 

contamination 

with M. 

tuberculosis.

Use RP with 

a valveless 

filtering 

facepiece, 

e.g., N95 

disposable.

Slide 74

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Laboratories

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection 

Controls
Lab-specific risk assessment 

and IC plan 

Biosafety level (BSL) 2 for 

non-aerosol-producing 

procedures

Annual HCW M. tuberculosis

testing in med. and high-risk 

settings

Handle specimens suspected to contain M. 

tuberculosis and aerosol-producing procedures in 

class I or II biological safety cabinet (BSC).

Lab specific based on risk 

assessment 

At least N95. Use if aerosolproducing procedures 

performed outside BSC

Slide 75

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Bronchoscopy Suites

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Avoid bronchoscopy on suspected or 

confirmed TB patients or postpone until 

noninfectious. When sputum collection 

is not possible, use sputum induction.

AII room or one that meets AII 

ventilation requirements. In 

mechanically ventilated patients, 

keep circuitry closed.

At least N95 respiratory protection 

for HCWs present for bronchoscopy 

procedures on patients with 

suspected or confirmed TB

Slide 76

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Sputum Induction and Inhalation Therapy Rooms

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection 

Controls

Use if sputum collection 

is inadequate. 

Use appropriate 

precautions if patient has 

suspected or confirmed 

TB.

Local exhaust ventilation (e.g., 

specially vented booth) or room 

that meets or exceeds 

AII requirements

At least N95 disposable RP for 

HCWs performing these 

procedures on a patient with 

suspected or confirmed TB

Slide 77

AII Precautions for Inpatient Settings

Autopsy Suites/Embalming Rooms

Administrative Controls Environmental 

Controls

Respiratory Protection Controls

In case of body with suspected or 

confirmed TB, ensure AII precautions and 

protection for those performing autopsies. 

Coordinate between attending HCWs and 

pathologists to ensure proper IC.

Meet or exceed 

requirements for AII 

room. 

Exhaust air to outside.

At least N95 disposable respiratory 

protection for HCWs performing autopsies 

on bodies with suspected or confirmed 

infectious TB disease

Slide 78

AII Precautions for Outpatient Settings

TB Treatment Facilities (TB Clinics))
Ensure separation from HIV-infected patients. Screen HCWs for M. tuberculosis infection. Schedule treatment 

of TB patients for certain times or areas away from HIV patients.

Administrative 

Controls

Environmental Controls Respiratory 

Protection 

Controls

Promptly detect, evaluate, 

and separate to AII room 

patients with suspected or 

confirmed TB.

Based on risk 

assessment, ≥1 AII 

room for patients with 

suspected or 

confirmed TB 

Procedures that 

produce coughs, 

aerosols should be 

performed in booth or 

AII room.

Implement respiratory 

protection program for 

HCWs who share space 

with suspected or 

confirmed TB patients.

Slide 79

AII Precautions for Outpatient Settings

Dialysis Units

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Written plan for treatment or referral 

of suspected or confirmed TB 

patients 

Patients with end-stage renal disease 

should be tested for M. tuberculosis

infection.

Separate immuno-compromised 

dialysis patients from suspected or 

confirmed TB patients.

AII room or holding area for 

hemodialysis patients with 

suspected or confirmed TB

At least N95 disposable RP for HCWs 

entering AII rooms of patients with 

suspected or confirmed TB

Slide 80

AII Precautions for Outpatient Settings

Dental Care Settings

Instruct TB patients to cover cough, wear surgical mask. .

Administrative 

Controls

Environmental Controls Respiratory 

Protection 

Controls

Develop written IC 

policy based on 

community risk 

assessment. 

AII setting to treat patients with 

suspected or confirmed infectious TB. 

In settings with high volume of 

suspected or confirmed TB patients, 

use HEPA units or ultraviolet 

germicidal irradiation (UVGI).

At least N95 disposable 

RP for HCWs attending 

patients with suspected or 

confirmed TB.
Postpone non-urgent 

treatment of TB patients.

Slide 81

AII Precautions for Nontraditional Settings

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Written IC plan 

Include any exposed EMS 

staff in contact investigation 

of TB patients.

Ambulance vent system should be nonrecirculating. 

Use all available environmental controls to 

increase number of air changes per hour 

(ACH). Air should flow from front to back 

and out.

Consider surgical or procedure 

masks for suspected or confirmed 

TB patients and N95 RP for EMS 

staff.

Slide 82

AII Precautions for Nontraditional Settings

Medical Settings in Correctional Facilities

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection 

Controls

Develop setting-specific IC plan. 

Test staff for TB annually.

Test inmates for TB and maintain tracking 

system.

Collaborate with local health department on TB 

contact investigations, discharge planning, and 

training/education of staff and inmates.

≥1 AII room based on risk 

assessment 

Place inmates with suspected or 

confirmed TB in AII or transfer 

to AII setting.

Collect sputum in booth, AII 

room, or outside; not in cell.

Implement RP program. 

Give surgical mask to 

inmates who must leave AII 

room.

Consider N95 RP for staff 

transporting inmates with 

infectious TB.B.

Slide 83

AII Precautions for Nontraditional Settings

Home Health Care

Administrative Controls Environmental Controls Respiratory Protection Controls

Train patients, family re: meds, cough 

etiquette, medical evaluation. 

Postpone travel until not infectious.

No cough-inducing procedures 

unless infection controls in place

Consider N95 RP for staff 

transporting persons with infectious 

TB.

Slide 84

AII Precautions for Nontraditional Settings

Long Term Care/Hospice

Administrative Controls

Patients with suspected or confirmed TB should not be managed or treated unless proper 

administrative, environmental, and respiratory protection controls in place.

Slide 85
Training and Educating HCWs

 Initial TB training and education

 – Provide initial TB training to all HCWs, including physicians, and document training

 Follow-up TB training and education

 – Annually evaluate the need for follow-up training for HCWs

– Provide retraining if exposure occurs

– Provide annual respiratory protection training for HCWs who use respirators

Slide 86

TB Infection Control Surveillance

TB screening programs provide critical info and consist of

 Baseline testing for M. tuberculosis infection (new hires)*

 Serial testing for M. tuberculosis infection

 Serial screening for symptoms or signs

 – Clinical evaluation

– Chest radiograph

 TB training and education

* And other persons who will be tested periodically (i.e., residents and staff of long term–care facilities and 

correctional settings).

Slide 87

Evaluating Problems

 Conduct a contact investigation for problems such as

 – Conversion in TST or BAMT result in HCW

– TB disease diagnosis in HCW

– Suspected person-to-person transmission of M. tuberculosis

– IC lapses that expose HCWs to M. tuberculosis

– Possible TB outbreaks identified using automated laboratory systems

Slide 88

Problem Evaluation

Contact Investigation (1)

Objectives of contact investigation:

 Determine likelihood that M. tuberculosis transmission occurred

 Determine extent of M. tuberculosis transmission

 Identify persons exposed and, if possible, source of potential transmission

Slide 89

Problem Evaluation

Contact Investigation (2)
 Identify factors that could have contributed to transmission

 Implement interventions

 Evaluate effectiveness of interventions

 Ensure that exposure to M. tuberculosis has been terminated and conditions leading to exposure have 

been eliminated

Slide 90

Collaborate with Health Department

 Seek state or local TB program assistance in planning and implementing TB control activities.

 State or local health department must be notified about suspected or confirmed TB disease such that 

follow-up, community contact investigation, and completion of therapy can be ensured.

Slide 91

Environmental Controls (1)

 After administrative controls, second line of defense in TB IC program

 Prevent spread, reduce concentration of infectious droplet nuclei

 In AII rooms, these systems control airflow direction to minimize spread of infectious droplet nuclei to 

adjacent areas

Slide 92

Environmental Controls (2)

 Technologies for removing or inactivating M. tuberculosis consist of

 – Local exhaust ventilation

– General ventilation

– Air-cleaning methods, e.g., high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, ultraviolet germicidal 

irradiation (UVGI)

Slide 93

Local Exhaust Ventilation (1)

 Source-control method for capturing airborne contaminants

 – Enclosing device: source fully or partially enclosed; include tents, booths, and biologic safety cabinets 

(BSCs)

– External device: source near but outside enclosure

Slide 94

Local Exhaust Ventilation (2)

 Should remove at least 99% of particles before next patient or HCW enters

 Use for cough-inducing and aerosol-producing procedures

Slide 95

General Ventilation
 Systems that dilute and remove contaminated air and control airflow patterns in a room

 Single-pass system preferred for AII rooms

 Maintain AII rooms under negative pressure

 – Existing settings: ≥6 air changes/hr (ACH)

– New or renovated settings: ≥12 ACH

Slide 96

Air-Cleaning Methods

HEPA filters

 Use as supplement to ventilation

 Used to filter infectious droplet nuclei from

the air

 Must be used

 – When discharging air from local exhaust ventilation booths directly into surrounding room

– When discharging air from an AII room into the general ventilation system

 Can be used to clean air that is exhausted d

to outside

Slide 97

Air-Cleaning Methods

UVGI 

 Kills or inactivates M. tuberculosis

 Use as supplement to ventilation

 Not substitute for negative pressure

 Not substitute for HEPA filtration when air recirculated from AII room into other areas

 Emphasis on safety and maintenance

 Occupational exposure limits

 – Overexposure can cause damage to skin, eyes

– UVGI systems must be properly installed and maintained

Slide 98

Respiratory Protection

General

 Third level in the IC hierarchy

 Should be used by persons

 – Entering rooms of suspected/confirmed TB patients

– Around cough- or aerosol-producing procedures

– In settings where administrative and environmental controls will not prevent the inhalation of 

infectious droplet nuclei

 Decision on use of respiratory protection (RP) in labs should be made on case-by-case basis

Slide 99

Respiratory Protection Program (1)
 Settings where HCWs use RP to prevent M. tuberculosis infection should develop, implement, and 

maintain an RP program; include all HCWs who use RP

 Provide HCWs annual training on TB control, IC, and RP

 Give HCWs time to become proficient and comfortable with respirators

Slide 100

Respiratory Protection Program (2)

 Settings with no AII rooms, no cough- or aerosol-producing procedures, or no expectations of patients 

with suspected or confirmed TB do not need an RP program

 – Have written protocols for recognizing signs or symptoms of TB and referring or transferring patients 

to a setting where they can be managed

Slide 101

Considerations for Selecting Respirators (1)

 Minimum respiratory protection is a filtering facepiece respirator (nonpowered, air-purifying, halffacepiece, such as N95 disposable).

 In high-risk situations (cough- or aerosol-producing activities), additional protection may be needed

Slide 102

Considerations for Selecting Respirators (2)

 Use respirators that also protect HCWs against mucous membrane exposure to bloodborne pathogens as 

appropriate

 Use respirators without exhalation valve during procedures requiring sterile field

 Consider offering respirators (e.g., N95 disposable) to visitors to AII rooms

Slide 103

Considerations for Selecting Respirators (3)

 In certain settings (e.g., AII rooms, vehicles carrying infectious patients), administrative and 

environmental controls may not be enough to protect HCWs

 Respirator usage regulated by OSHA’s general industry standard

Slide 104

Respiratory Protection Performance Criteria

 The following can be used for protection against M. tuberculosis

 – Nonpowered particulate filter respirators certified by CDC/NIOSH: N-, R-, or P-95, 99, or 100), 

including disposable respirators, or powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) with high-efficiency filters

 Respirators should fit different face sizes and features of HCWs

Slide 105

Respiratory Protection Performance Criteria
 Respirators must be CDC/NIOSH approved under 42 CFR, Part 84

 Types of Respiratory Protection

 – Nonpowered air-purifying respirators

– Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs)

– Supplied-air respirators

Slide 106

Nonpowered Air-Purifying Respirators

Resistance to Degradation

Filter Efficiencies

95 (95%)*99 (99%)*100 (99.97%)*

N (not resistant to oil) N95 N99 N100

R (resistant to oil) R95 R99 R100

P (oil proof) P95 P99 P100

Slide 107

Effectiveness of Respiratory Protection Devices

 Face seal fit determines protective ability

 Filter efficiency depends on

 – Filtration characteristics

– Size distribution of droplets in the aerosol

– Velocity through the filter

– Filter loading

– Electrostatic charges on the filter

Slide 108

Implementing a Respiratory Protection Program

 Assign responsibility

 Train HCWs annually

 Conduct fit testing of HCWs

 – During initial RP program training

– Periodically thereafter

 Inspect and maintain respirators

 Evaluate program periodically

Slide 109

Cough- and Aerosol-Producing Procedures Requiring Use of RP

 Cough-producing procedures

 – Endotracheal intubation, suctioning, diagnostic sputum induction, aerosol treatments, bronchoscopy, 

laryngoscopy

– Gastric aspiration and nasogastric intubation can induce cough in some patients

 Aerosol-producing procedures:

 – Irrigating TB abscesses, homogenizing or lyophilizing tissue, performing autopsies
Slide 110

Estimating Infectiousness of Patients

[Image: health care worker looking at a chest x-ray]>

Slide 111

Characteristics of Infectiousness (1)

Infectiousness related to

– Cough >3 weeks

– Cavitation on chest radiograph

– Positive sputum smear results

Slide 112

Characteristics of Infectiousness (2)

– Respiratory tract disease involving lung, airway, or larynx

– Failure to cover mouth and nose when coughing

– Inadequate treatment

– Undergoing cough- or aerosol-producing procedures

Slide 113

Discharge to Home

 Patient can be discharged without 3 negative sputum smears if

 – Follow-up plan has been made with local TB program

– Patient is on standard treatment and directly observed therapy (DOT) is arranged

– No person in home <4 years old or immunocompromised

– All in household previously exposed

– Patient willing to stay home until sputum results negative

 Do not release if high-risk persons will be exposed

Slide 114

Drug-Resistant Disease

 Consider AII precautions for MDR TB patients until discharge or culture conversion

 – Transmission from MDR TB patients may be extensive

 Risk for transmission not increased in TB/HIV coinfected patients vs. TB patients

Slide 115

Diagnostic Procedures for Latent TB Infection and TB Disease

[Image: health care worker measuring induration of a TST]>

Slide 116
Diagnosis of Latent TB Infection

 Persons with LTBI

 – Are asymptomatic

– Do not feel sick

– Cannot spread TB to others

 Diagnostic procedures

 – Positive TST with medical evaluation to exclude TB

 Evaluation includes assessing symptoms and signs, x-ray, and sputum tests

 – Blood assay for M. tuberculosis (BAMT) now available

Slide 117

Tuberculin Skin Test (1)

 TST is most used test for M. tuberculosis infection in U.S.

 Improve variable results by HCW training and attention to detail

 Improve HCW adherence to serial TST by revising operational policies and HCW training

Slide 118

Tuberculin Skin Test (2)

 Need based on assessment of

 – HCW recent exposure

– Clinical conditions increasing risk for TB

– If setting can treat if HCW infected

 Use recommended Mantoux method

 – Training materials available from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/pem.htm

– Multipuncture (e.g., tine) tests not as reliable

– Contact HD for additional TST resources

Slide 119

Administering the TST

 Inject 0.1 mL PPD intradermally

 Should produce wheal of 6–10 mm

 Do not recap, bend, break, remove needles from syringes

 Follow standard IC precautions

[Image: tuberculin skin test]

Slide 120

Reading TST Result

 Read 48–72 hrs after placement

 – If HCW returns after >72 hrs, place and read another TST*

– Do not let HCWs read their own results
 Find and measure induration

 – Measure diameter of induration across the arm

– Do not measure redness

* If the TST reaction is read as ≥15 mm up to 7 days after placement, the result can be considered positive.

[Image: reading a TST result]

Slide 121

Interpreting TST Result (1)

 Probability of positive TST result accuracy depends on M. tuberculosis prevalence in community

 – Low prevalence: low probability of accuracy

– High prevalence: high probability of accuracy

Slide 122

Interpreting TST Result (2)

Different cut points used depending on

 Patient’s risk for having LTBI

 Size of induration

>5 mm highest risk

>10 mm other risk factors

>15 mm no known risk factors

Slide 123

Interpreting TST for HCWs

1. Baseline ≥10 mm = positive

(≥5 if HCW has HIV)

2. Serial testing Increase of ≥10 mm = positive (TST conversion)

3. Known exposure 

(contact Investigation)

≥5 mm = positive when baseline result is 0 mm; increase of ≥10 

mm = positive when baseline or previous follow-up TST result is 

>0 mm, but <10mm

Slide 124

Special Considerations in TST

 Anergy

 Antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection

 Pregnancy

 TST boosting

 Use of two-step TST

 BCG vaccination

 Differences in PPD preparations

Slide 125
Anergy

 Anergy is the immune system’s failure to respond to injected reagents or antigens

 Persons with compromised immunity may not react to tuberculin

 A few persons with normal immunity also do not react

 Thus, absence of TST reaction does not rule out LTBI or TB disease

 Anergy testing not recommended as adjunct to TST, because TST results alone cannot guide clinical 

decision making

Slide 126

HIV Patients with Reconstituted Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (DTH) Response

 HIV patients with initial negative TST result can convert to positive after starting highly active 

antiretroviral therapy (HAART) because of improved immunity

 Should repeat testing for M. tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected patients with previous negative M. 

tuberculosis result after starting HAART

Slide 127

Pregnancy

 No change in guidelines

 No evidence that TST has any adverse effects on pregnant mother or fetus

 Pregnant HCWs should be included in serial skin testing; no contraindications

 Postponing diagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection during pregnancy is unacceptable

Slide 128

TST Boosting

 Some with LTBI have a negative TST reaction when tested years after infection

 Initial TST may stimulate (boost) ability to react

 Positive reactions to subsequent TSTs could be misinterpreted as indicating recent infection

Slide 129

TST Two-Step Testing

Used for initial baseline M. tuberculosis testing for those who will be given TST periodically

 No previous TST: do two-step test

 First test positive: consider TB infected

 First test negative: retest in 1–3 wks (after first TST result was read)

 Second test positive: consider TB infected

 Second test negative: consider not infected

Slide 130

BCG Vaccination
 Not routinely recommended in U.S.

 BCG vaccination not a contraindication to TST

 Can lead to boosting in baseline two-step testing

 – Boosted reaction from previous BCG (false positive) is indistinguishable from M. tuberculosis

reaction (true positive)

Slide 131

Differences in PPD Preparations (1)

 Two PPD preparations available in U.S.

 – APLISOL

– Tubersol

 Compared to U.S. standard, no differences*

* Villarino ME, Burman W, Wang YC, Lundergan L, Catanzaro A, Bock N, Jones C, Nolan C. Comparable 

specificity of 2 commercial tuberculin reagents in persons at low risk for tuberculosis infection. JAMA 

1999:281(2):169-71.

Slide 132

Differences in PPD Preparations (2)

 Compared to each other, APLISOL produces larger reactions

 Although difference is slight, might affect positivity rate in large institutional settings

 Recommend using one product consistently

Slide 133

Use of BAMT Surveillance and LTBI Testing

 LTBI traditionally diagnosed with TST

 Blood assay for M. tuberculosis (BAMT) available: QFT-Gold

 QFT-G was approved by FDA in 2005 and can be used to detect LTBI

 – Measures interferon (IFN)-gamma released in blood when incubated overnight with various reagents, 

including antigens specific for M. tuberculosis

– Lymphocytes from persons with LTBI react to these proteins by releasing IFN-gamma

Slide 134

Use of BAMT

Benefits of QFT-Gold over TST

 Requires only one patient visit

 Assesses responsiveness to M. tuberculosis antigens

 Does not boost previous responses

 Interpretation less subjective than for TST

 Probably less affected by BCG vaccination
Slide 135

Use of BAMT

Baseline and Serial Testing

 Baseline testing with BAMT

 – Establish baseline with single negative BAMT result

– HCWs with positive BAMT result should be referred for medical and diagnostic evaluation

 Serial testing for infection control

 – A conversion is a change from negative to positive

Slide 136

Special Considerations

 QFT-Gold has not been evaluated in persons aged <17 or pregnant women

 The BAMT is not affected by the booster phenomenon as is the TST

 BCG vaccination is not a contraindication to having a BAMT and does not influence BAMT results

Slide 137

Diagnosing TB Disease

 Chest radiography

 Evaluation of sputum samples

 – Smear

– Culture

– Drug susceptibility testing

 Recommend against using bronchoscopy because of risk of contamination or transmission

Slide 138

Treatment Procedures for LTBI and TB Disease

[Image: prescription pad and pills]

Slide 139

Treatment for LTBI

 Treating LTBI reduces the risk that M. tuberculosis infection will develop into TB disease

 Certain groups have higher risk for developing TB disease after infection; should be treated

 Before beginning treatment for LTBI

 – Exclude diagnosis of TB

– Ensure patient has no history of adverse reactions resulting from prior LTBI treatment

Slide 140

Candidates for Treatment for LTBI
Give LTBI Treatment to If M. tuberculosis Test Result Is

Highest risk groups

 Immunocompromised

 Recent contacts

 X-ray indicates previous TB

≥5 mm

Other high-risk groups ≥10 mm

Patients with no risks ≥15 mm

Slide 141

Treatment Regiments for LTBI

Drugs Months of Duration Interval Minimum

Doses

INH 9* Daily 270

2x wkly 76

INH 6 Daily 180

2x wkly 52

RIF 4 Daily 120

*Preferred 

INH=isoniazid; RIF=rifampin

Slide 142

Treatment for TB Disease (1)

 TB treatment regimens must contain multiple drugs to which M. tuberculosis is susceptible

 Treating TB disease with a single drug can lead to resistance

 Also, adding a single drug to a failing regimen can lead to drug resistance

Slide 143

Treatment for TB Disease (2)

 Preferred regimen

 – Initial phase: 2 months isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA), and ethambutol

– Continuation phase: 4 months INH and RIF

 In patients with cavitary pulmonary TB and positive culture results at end of initiation phase, 

continuation phase should be 7 months

 TB patients with HIV who are taking anti-retrovirals (ARVs) should be managed by TB/HIV disease 

experts

 – TB treatment regimens might need to be altered

Slide 144
Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing Patient Rooms (1)

 Three categories of medical equipment: critical, semicritical, and noncritical

 Critical: Instruments introduced directly into bloodstream or other normally sterile areas (e.g., needles, 

surgical instruments) should be sterile at time of use

Slide 145

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing Patient Rooms (2)

 Semicritical: Do not penetrate body surfaces but might come into contact with mucous membranes; 

clean with high-level disinfectant

 Noncritical: Do not touch patient, or only touch skin; not associated with transmission

Slide 146

References

 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for preventing the transmission of 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health-care settings, 2005. MMWR 2005; 54 (No. RR-17).

Slide 147

Continuing Education Credits (1)

 Continuing education credits will be available until December 30, 2008

 Participants will receive one of the following:

 – 3.5 hours continuing medical education (CME) credit

– 0.35 continuing education units (CEUs)

– 4.0 contact hours continuing nursing education (CNE) credit

– 3.5 contact hours National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) credit

 Participants are required to read and study the guidelines, take a test, and complete an evaluation

Slide 148

Continuing Education Credits (2)

 If you return the form electronically, you will receive educational credit immediately.

 If you mail the form, you will receive educational credit in approximately 30 days.

 No fees are charged for participating in this continuing education activity.

 MMWR CE Credit:

http://www.cdc/gov/mmwr/cme/conted.html

Slide 149

Additional Resources

For additional information on TB, visit the CDC Division of Tuberculosis Elimination website at
http://www.cdc.gov/tb

Slide 150

Additional TB Guidelines

 CDC. Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Correctional and Detention Facilities: 

Recommendations from CDC.MMWR 2006; 55 (No. RR-09): 1–44.

 CDC. Guidelines for the investigation of contacts of persons with infectious tuberculosis: 

recommendations from the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association and CDC. MMWR 2005; 54 

(No. RR-15): 1-37.

 CDC. Guidelines for using the QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis

infection, United States. MMWR 2005; 54 (No. RR-15): 49-55.

 CDC. Controlling tuberculosis in the United States: recommendations from the American Thoracic 

Society, CDC, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. MMWR 2005; 54 (No. RR-12): 1-81.

 CDC. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings—2003. MMWR 2003; 52 (No. RR17).

 CDC. Treatment of tuberculosis. American Thoracic Society, CDC, and Infectious Diseases Society of 

America. MMWR 2003; 52 (No. RR-11).

 CDC. Guidelines for environmental infection control in health-care facilities: recommendations of CDC 

and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC).MMWR 2003; 52 (No. 

RR-10).