The
story is pretty much what you would expect
According to a new study published the February issue of Chest, healthcare workers are nearly five times as likely to decline drug therapy treatment for latent TB, compared to patients in the study.
but the HCWs dont hold back
by Nancy Andritsch on February 24th, 2010 at 11:38 am
This study says nothing about the use of Quantiferon TB-Gold testing which is far more accurate to detect latent TB infection than TB skin testing. I would accept the recommendation for treatment of latent TB infection if the skin test was verified with a positive Quantiferon test, but not based solely on a TB skin test.
By Vanessa Clendening on February 25th, 2010 at 10:36 am
I agree with Nancy. We are currently participating in a Quantiferon TB-Gold pilot program. If an employee or volunteer has a positive skin test, then we send them for QFT testing. Approximately 75% of previously positive skin tests have been verified with negative QFT results, saving lots of unnecessary LTBI treatment.
By Marilie Stuck on March 3rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I agree with Nancy. The Quantiferon TB-Gold must be positive and a history of possible exposure present to submit to the INH therapy. We are in the initial start up of the QFT-TB Gold In-Tube test for our Employee Health Testing.
By Dawn Emile on March 17th, 2010 at 3:21 am
Commendable responses from those who are well-informed.
