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A study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of expanded tuberculosis infection control measures implemented at a university affiliated, inner city hospital. The interventions were comprised of expanded tuberculosis infection control measures involving an expanded respiratory isolation policy, interim engineering controls, and personal respiratory protection equipment. The number of tuberculosis exposure episodes decreased markedly from 4.4 per month to 0.6 per month following implementation of the intervention program. Tuberculin skin test conversion rates were reduced from 3.3% to 0.4% in health care workers. The authors conclude that the measures had been effective in preventing nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis to these workers and stress that administrative controls should be the first step taken in any infection control program, as they seem to be the most important component.
Annals of Internal Medicine, 122(9):658-663, 1995. (32 references)
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