Recommendations for TB Control in Healthcare Settings
Many healthcare settings that are state-licensed or are federally-certified in Minnesota have specific state and/or federal TB prevention and control requirements. In addition, all healthcare settings in Minnesota must follow the requirements of the Minnesota Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MN-OSHA). Healthcare workers are referred to as HCWs on this page.
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- Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005 Attention: Non-MDH link
All MDH recommendations are based on this document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Enforcement Policy and Procedures for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis Attention: Non-MDH link
MN-OSHA TB directive.
Program Components
A complete TB prevention and control program for healthcare settings includes all of the following components:
- TB Infection Control Programs
All healthcare settings are required to have written TB infection control procedures.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment
All healthcare settings are required to complete a written TB risk assessment at least once every two years.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Screening of Healthcare Workers (HCWs)
All HCWs are required to participated in TB screening at time of hire. Annual TB screening is required for HCWs in medium risk settings.- HCWs Who Should Be Included in a TB Surveillance Program (PDF:70KB/2 pages)
Pages 3-4 of the MMWR: Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobaterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005.
- HCWs Who Should Be Included in a TB Surveillance Program (PDF:70KB/2 pages)
- Tuberculosis (TB) Screening of Patients and Residents
TB screening is required at time of admission for patients in some settings.
- Suggested Components of an Initial TB Training and Education Program for HCWs (PDF:88KB/3 pages)
TB training and education is required at time of hire for all HCWs and annually for HCWs in medium risk settings.
Legal requirements
Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Guidelines:
- Assisted Living Facilities
These facilities should follow the Home Care guidelines. - Boarding Care Facilities
- Home Care Providers
- Hospice Attention: Non-MDH link
- Outpatient Surgical Centers Attention: Non-MDH link
- Nursing Homes
- Supervised Living Facilities
- Clinics, Hospitals, and Other Healthcare Settings
Follow the Enforcement Policy and Procedures for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis from MN-OSHA.