Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Essay Example

The social requirement is the most appropriate in the process of screening health care workers. As a result, prevention of the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis begins with screening HCWs to ensure that it is not transmitted to patients, visitors and other health care workers in the health care facility. TB screening encompasses the medical history, a review of symptoms, Mantoux TST, physical assessment, chest X-ray and other relevant tests. Pre-placement screening is performed to determine TB’s baseline status among HCWs. Consequently, prior to commencement of work, HCWs should fill a baseline TST questionnaire.

According to CDCP, periodic screening is conducted to determine HCWs that are already infected with TB or have a new infection. The test also reveals the prevalence of TB transmission from patients to HCWs and between HCWs in the facility. Post-exposure screening is essential in determining HCWs that have new infections and occupational exposure from a known source. The screening program would also accompany training and education of health care workers. The factors that would influence training include job title, area of specialization and occupational group.

Trainers will ensure mandatory training of HCWs before the assessment, on an annual basis and when required. The specific areas of concern in the training encompass basic concepts such as diagnosis and pathogenesis, distinguishing between TB infection and disease, symptoms and signs, factors that escalate progression risk and re-infection possibilities. Other training areas may include possible occupational exposures, safe practices to control infection andsignificance of TST and its results.HCWs should also be trained about TB treatment and associated adverse effects of the medication, necessity of immediate medical evaluation in the event of a TST conversion and effectiveness of the medication.

Counseling of HCWs would be appropriate at the time of hiring and dutring their entire course of employment. Certainly, the social requirement provides the most effective way to conduct TB tests on HCWs (Curry 32). From the Venn diagram below, the social requirements are on the forefront for the success of the screening exercise; though both social and political requirements depend on economic requirements for financing.

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of  Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care facilities”.(1994).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Screening for tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection in high risk populations: recommendations for the Advisory Council for the Elimination of Tuberculosis”. (1995).

Curry, F. J. “Policy and Procedures for Tuberculosis Screening of Health care workers by National Tuberculosis Center”. (1999).