Before initiating airborne precautions, the infection preventionist must first confirm the clinical suspicion of active TB.
Step-by-Step Justification:
Confirming Active TB:
A positive tuberculin skin test (TST) alone does not indicate active disease.
A review of chest X-ray, symptoms, and risk factors is needed.
Medical Record Review:
Past TB history, imaging, and sputum testing are key to diagnosis.
Not all TST-positive patients require isolation.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
A. Contact the roommate's physician to initiate TST: Premature, as no confirmation of active TB exists yet.
C. Report findings to Employee Health for staff follow-up: Should occur only after TB confirmation.
D. Transfer to airborne isolation immediately: Airborne isolation is necessary only if active TB is suspected based on clinical findings.
CBIC Infection Control References:
