Protecting Health Care Workers From Tuberculosis, 2013 ACOEM Medical Center Occupational Health Section Task Force on Tuberculosis and Health Care Workers

Although the rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases has fallen in the United States over the past two decades,1 continuing importation and transmission combined with the global emergence of drug-resistant strains present an ongoing occupational risk for health care workers (HCWs). To reduce this risk, health care facilities need to implement multiple steps. These steps should include offering updated periodic training of HCWs to maintain awareness about potential TB risks; optimizing the design, ventilation, and patient flowin clinical spaces; providing baseline, periodic, and postexposure TB testing of HCWs; using appropriate and effective respiratory protection; implementing active infection control procedures; and periodically updating the facilities-written TB control plans.2,3 Evolving diagnostic methodologies and treatment options highlight the need for occupational and environmental medicine physicians to stay current to provide quality medical care to HCWs.