Tuberculin skin test in newly employed Health Care Workers.
- Author:
Sung Won YOON
;
Og Son KIM
;
Jae Hoon SONG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Newly employed health care workers;
Tuberculosis infection;
Tuberculin skin test
- MeSH:
Delivery of Health Care*;
Humans;
Infection Control Practitioners;
Skin Tests*;
Skin*;
Tuberculin Test;
Tuberculin*;
Tuberculosis
- From:Korean Journal of Nosocomial Infection Control
1997;2(2):131-136
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Health care workers(HCWs) are more likely to become infected with tuberculosis from patients in the hospital. When HCWs have an active tuberculosis infection, it is possible that they also become a source of infections to other HCWs and patients. METHODS: Tuberculin tests were performed with mantoux method using 5 units of tuberculin by infection control practitioners on Feb. 21, and Mar. 7, 1997. A total of 138 newly employed HCWs including 44interns and 94 nurses were tested. Results of skin test were interpreted by themselves according to the instructions. RESULTS: Among 138 personels, skin tests were negative in 27 personels (19.6%); 4 interns (9.1%) and 23 nurses (24.5%). There were 3 persons (2.2%) who had a history of tuberculosis which had been treated. CONCLUSION: The study showed that approximately 20% of newly employed HCWs had negative tuberculin skin test. Given the possibility of being infected with tuberculosis in the hospital, regular follow up of tuberculin skin test is warranted to protect HCWs,
