TB (Tuberculosis) Screening:
First Time Students, Faculty, Staff and Scholars (one of the following upon initial clearance):
- QuantiFERON® or T-spot blood tests, drawn within the past year or start of program.
- A positive test indicates TB infection (either active or latent). Chest X-ray and further evaluation will be necessary. Please see the section below on Positive Screenings.
- If you have received the BCG vaccine, a PPD will likely give a positive result. It is recommended that you obtain a blood test for the most accurate screening results and to prevent the necessity of undergoing additional testing.
- Two-Step TB PPD test (this is a 4 step process - 2 placements and 2 readings), completed within the past year or start of program. The following is the standard process for completing a two-step TB PPD test:
- Visit 1, Day 1: PPD antigen is applied under the skin.
- Visit 2, Day 3: PPD test is read (within 48-72 hrs. of placement). If positive, it indicates TB infection and a chest x-ray and further evaluation is necessary.
- Visit 3, Day 7-21: a second PPD skin test is applied (for those that test one was negative)
- Visit 4, 48-72 hours after placement: the second test is read.
- A positive 2nd test indicates TB infection in the distant past. Chest X-ray and further evaluation will likely be necessary. Please see the section below on Positive Screenings.
- Annual TB PPD test: An annual test will only be accepted if you have previously received a two-step TB test and have maintained annual 1-step testing each following year. Documentation of the two-step test plus all annual tests since then are mandatory.
- Chest X-ray: Only accepted when a person has a positive TB test. The chest X-ray must be done within 6 months or start of program prior to the start of the rotation.
- A positive test indicates active TB infection. Please see the section below on Positive Screenings.
Positive Screenings
- If you receive a positive blood or PPD screening, you are required to obtain a chest X-ray to determine if you have active Tuberculosis disease.
- Negative Chest X-ray: you will likely be offered optional treatment for latent Tuberculosis disease.
- If you accept the treatment plan, please email all related documentation to Student.Affairs@PrismaHealth.org.
- Student Affairs will reach out to confirm you completed the treatment, but no further action will be required for future rotations.
- If you decline treatment, you will need to email all TB documentation along with a TB Symptom Questionnaire to Student.Affairs@PrismaHealth.org.
- Symptom questionnaires will be required for subsequent rotations on an annual basis.
- Positive Chest X-ray: you will be required to report to DHEC and undergo treatment for active Tuberculosis infection.
- Please email all related documentation to Student.Affairs@PrismaHealth.org. Prisma Health Employee Health will confirm all documentation and provide a date in which you are eligible to start your rotation.
- Student Affairs will reach out to confirm you completed the scheduled treatment, but no further action will be required for future rotations.
Returning Students, Faculty, Staff and Scholars:
- Prisma Health does not require annual TB screening for students, faculty, staff and scholars in subsequent rotations unless there is a break between rotations of over one year. In this case, you must obtain initial testing as described above (2-step PPD or TB blood test).
Note: TB PPD (skin) tests cannot be administered within 30 days of MMR or Varicella vaccine; live vaccines may cause a false positive for the TB PPD (skin) test.
How to complete the compliance checklist:
- Upload all TB documentation from your health care provider stating the date(s) and result(s) of the test(s) to mCE.
- PPD documentation must show the placed and read dates along with the results of both tests.
- Select the appropriate statement from the new value dropdown:
- Test(s) were negative for TB
- Test(s) were positive for TB, but negative chest Xray
- Test(s) were positive for TB, and received TB treatment
- This option should be selected for those who obtained both mandatory and optional treatment
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