Much has been made of the updated
CDC guidelines and the failure to return to have a Mantoux test read is possibly the single biggest factor against the continuation with the skin test. For instance take the study
Strategies to Increase Adherence With Tuberculosis Test Reading where various options were canvassed in an attempt to lift the poor rate of return
Before the study the follow-up rate of TB test reading by a trained professional was 45%.
These options were
1) routine verbal and written instructions,
2) reminder phone call,
3) transportation tokens and toy on return,
4) withholding of school forms until time of reading and need to repeat TB test if not timely read,
5) parents taught to read induration with nurse home visit.
The results were
1) 58%,
2) 70%,
3) 67%,
4) 70%, and
5) 72%
Importantly this failure rate was not confined to any particular group
The five groups did not differ with regard to TB risk factor score, maternal education, transportation source, or perceived importance of TB testing.
Just not good enough.
