Linked Life Data

7985825

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/7985825

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
1995-1-5
pubmed:abstractText
Mycobacterium tuberculosis has reemerged as a significant public health problem. Elderly persons, especially those in long-term care facilities, are among those at high risk for infection with M. tuberculosis. Frequently, their symptoms are not clearly indicative of M. tuberculosis, and the diagnosis may thus be missed. We discuss the investigation of a cluster of skin test conversions on one locked unit in our long-term care facility. During the epidemiologic investigation, four of 25 patients who had previously had negative results of purified protein derivative testing (16%) and eight of 95 employees (11%) had skin test conversions. Despite a comprehensive, costly evaluation, the index case was not found. We identified weaknesses in our employee and patient M. tuberculosis surveillance programs. Employee baseline purified protein derivative testing data were inadequate. Annual skin tests for employees with previously negative results were not mandatory. There was no mechanism in place to encourage compliance. We developed a plan to educate personnel about the reemergence of M. tuberculosis, signs and symptoms in elderly patients, and the placement and interpretation of purified protein derivative skin tests. Documentation of purified protein derivative surveillance of both patients and employees was computerized. The number of inpatient and outpatient negative-pressure rooms was increased. Appropriate personal protective equipment was made available for use in high-risk situations.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Aug
pubmed:issn
0196-6553
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
22
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
236-41
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-8-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1994
pubmed:articleTitle
Tuberculosis surveillance: lessons from a cluster of skin test conversions.
pubmed:affiliation
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30904-6285.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.