Pathogens
Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Precautions

Airborne Precautions (N95)

Susceptibilities

General Information

Acid fast bacillus.

Latent disease believed to affect >20% of world population.

Prevalence higher in developing nations and mimics HIV/AIDS distribution.

Pulmonary:

  • Cavitating pneumonia

  • Upper lobe pnuemonia

  • Occasionally miliary

Extrapulmonary:

  • Lymph node disease

  • CNS infection

  • Osteomyelitis (Potts)

  • Peritoneal

  • Others

  • IPAC to consult
  • Need to report to public health
  • MDR includes rifampin and isoniazid resistance

Precautions:

  1. Private negative pressure room with door closed and proper signage (WHITE AIRBORNE sign).
  2. All staff who enter the patients room must wear a fit tested N95 mask. Mask fit testing must be up to date within the past 2 years.
  3. Staff must wear a fit tested N95 mask during patient transport to and from procedures/other healthcare facilities.
  4. Patient must wear a surgical mask at all times when out of the negative pressure room. Patient does not need to wear a mask when in the room unless there are visitors present.
  5. Notify receiving department of isolation status should patient require test/procedure off unit and if for transfer to other health care facility.
  6. Dedicated patient care equipment. If unable to dedicate, ensure shared equipment is cleaned with appropriate disinfectant following use.
  7. Please ensure 3 sputum specimens for AFB are collected and sent to lab as soon as possible. Early morning sputum should be collected once. The other specimens can be collected at least one hour apart.
  8. Routine housekeeping as per protocol. Isolation clean at discharge.