TUBERCULOSIS TESTING

Screening and Follow-Up Treatments

Prevent TB: Easy Screening & Treatment

Tuberculosis (TB) screenings are not mandatory across all industries, but may be recommended or required in high-risk settings, such as health care, first responders, schools, etc. 

    Available Tuberculosis Screening Options

    Concentra offers multiple TB screening and testing methods, including a TB Risk Assessment Screening, Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), and two different types of blood tests: QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) and T-Spot® TB (T-Spot).

    Risk Assessment Screening:

    • Can be performed to determine which employees are at higher risk of TB infection or TB progression to active TB disease
    • Only employees who screen positive would undergo further evaluation
    • This option may replace annual skin or blood testing for health care personnel (HCP), except in cases where states mandate it. Annual testing for low-risk HCP is not generally recommended.

    Blood Tests:

    • Also known as the Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test
    • Requires a single visit for medical clearance
    • No follow-up or TB read visit necessary, boosting employee compliance with screening protocols.
    • No false positives due to prior BCG vaccine

    Skin Test:

    • Also called a PPD test – known for the Purified Protein Derivative solution placed under the skin to test the body's immune response to TB and detect TB infection
    • Requires the person tested to return within 48-72 hours after administration for reading
    • For employees who may have periodic TB screening or who are otherwise at significant risk of acquiring TB, a 2-step TST should be performed on initial baseline testing. Two tests separated by at least one week are performed. This would include health care personnel (HCP), correctional facility employees, and first responders.

    *If test is not read within a 48 to 72-hour window, employee will need to repeat the test for medical clearance. 

     

      What to Do With Your Results

      The interpretation of a PPD test can vary depending on the patient’s risk factors. 48-72 hours after the initial TB test, a medical professional will check the injection site, read the results, and provide you with the next steps. 

      If tb results are negative

      A negative test is the desired outcome for all patients. This means that there is no evidence of TB infection. 

        if TB results are positive

        If the TB test results are positive, a clinician will order a chest X-ray to rule out any signs of active TB disease. If no signs of active TB disease are found, medical clearance is given, as latent TB infection (LTBI) is not contagious.

        In the rare case that active TB is suspected, patients will be isolated and referred to the local health department. If diagnosed with LTBI, treatment is usually recommended.

          If TB Blood Results are Borderline, Indeterminate, or Invalid

          This means the results were inconclusive—neither negative nor positive. The patient may need to be retested at a later date as determined by the attending clinician.

              Latent TB Infection Treatment Services

              There are two types of Tuberculosis (TB): latent TB infection (inactive TB) and active TB disease. Individuals with inactive TB cannot transmit the TB bacteria. However, treatment to prevent the progression to active TB disease is usually recommended.

              According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), progression from untreated latent TB infection to TB disease accounts for approximately 80% of U.S. TB disease cases. Treating latent TB infection is 90% effective in preventing the development of TB disease. Concentra can help keep your employees safe with latent TB treatments at a medical center near you.

               

                Concentra’s Treatment Options

                If you are diagnosed with latent TB infection, you need to know what the next steps are. Concentra now offers both Self-Administered Treatment and Direct-Observed Therapy options for self-pay patients and employers who would like to set up an LTBI treatment program. This newer short course of preventive treatment offers 12 doses of once-weekly medication (12 weeks). A Concentra clinician will monitor medication compliance, potential adverse reactions, and symptoms of active TB.

                 
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                  Your employees can access their patient records by calling the Concentra medical center where their visit occurred.

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