Chapter 15

Tuberculosis Infection Prevention and Control

Rafael Laniado-Laborín

Abstract

One of the main components of the End TB Strategy is the need for infection prevention and control (IPC) in health facilities and other settings where the risk of transmission is high. The strategy has three components that should be implemented as an integrated package of IPC interventions to prevent M. tuberculosis transmission. The main components of the policy are a) administrative controls, b) environmental controls, and c) respiratory protection. The administrative controls include the triage of patients with signs or symptoms or with known TB disease, the isolation of patients with presumed or demonstrated TB, and the prompt initiation of effective antituberculosis treatment for patients diagnosed with tuberculosis. The environmental controls include the use of upper-room germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) and natural o mechanical ventilation systems to reduce the concentration of infectious particles in the air. Finally, the respiratory protection strategy recommends using particulate respirators integrated as a part of a respiratory protection protocol.

Another essential component of the strategy is the periodic screening of all health workers with a risk of exposure to tuberculosis patients.

Total Pages: 159-163 (5)

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