TB Testing for Clients

Goal - why is this important to us?

Dawn Farm cares about the health and well-being of both their staff and clients. We serve thousands of clients each year and as we serve, it’s important to know that we can be at risk for Communicable Diseases, such as TB.  

In addition, we want to be in compliance with MIOSHA (Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration) , which has policies that require us to do this.

MIOSHA's Guidelines for TB Testing

While it is extremely rare that we’ll come across someone with both positive & active TB, we want to make sure staff take the basic TB precautions to keep themselves, their loved ones, and clients healthy!

Ingredients - what do I need to get started?

Any client who does not  have a copy of Negative TB test within the last year

Packard Health TB test schedule

Timeframe - about how long will this take?

TB tests are administered and read over the course of 72 hours.

Contacts - who do I need to let know?

All test results are kept confidential. Results should be uploaded in the Client's file in the attachments section of the Medical Note record.

Steps - what do I do?

1. Arrange an appointment with Packard Health to take the client or clients to Packard Health for a TB skin test ( some clients may have insurance that will cover a Blood test instead which does not require a return visit). 

2. Arrange to return clients to Packard Health for their scheduled reading within 48-72 hours or they will have to take the test again. 

3. After tests have been read, Request Copies of those tests from Packard health to be uploaded in the Client’s Medical Notes record in Apricot as an attachment.

Follow-up - what loose ends do I need to wrap up?

If the client tests Positive (or have in the past):

1. Instruct the Client Complete follow up testing with either Packard Health or their own medical provider. Typically this is a chest x-ray.

2. If the results from follow up show that their TB is positive, but inactive (a.k.a. Latent):

a.) know the person is not contagious.  

b.) staff will want to refer them back to Packard or their doctor for preventative care and   a 4 month medication regimen.  

c.) continue to look for a persistent cough 

3. In the future the client will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire annually with Packard or their doctor to see if they need another chest X-Ray.

If the client test Positive & Active:

1. Instruct the client to Immediately follow up with their medical provider as soon as they receive this diagnosis for instructions and care.

2. Immediately make a note in the client’s Apricot file 

General Information about TB:

What is TB? 

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal. www.cdc.gov.

How is it Spread? 

TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another. The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.

TB is NOT spread by:

• shaking someone's hand

• sharing food or drink

• touching bed linens or toilet seats

• sharing toothbrushes

• kissing