Tuberculosis Exposure in Healthcare Workers

Investigators
Dr Rhonda Stuart
Dr Lindsay Grayson (Austin Hospital)

Funded by: John Burge Tuberculosis Research Fund and the Department of Human Services, Victoria

The objective of this study was to determine the potential prevalence of nosocomial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among hospital employees in teaching hospitals in Melbourne.

A cross-section survey of positive tuberculin skin test (Mantoux) responses was undertaken among employees in 14 public hospitals in Melbourne, January 1996 to April 1999.

Healthcare workers were significantly more likely to have a positive tuberculin response than non-healthcare workers. Age, country of birth, history of BCG vaccination, years since last BCG, occupation and years of hospital employment were all significantly associated with a positve response. Rates of positive responses among employees varied greatly between hospitals. These differences were not explained by employee characteristics, hospital TB patient load (number of admissions or bed-days) or percentage of hospital patients from countries with high TB prevalence. The hospital with the highest rate of positive responses was notable for its lack of negative-pressure isolation rooms for TB patients.

Positive tuberculin responses are relatively common among hospital employees in Melbourne, with rates varying between hospitals and being higher among healthcare than non-healthcare workers. More emphasis on TB infection control measures and regular staff screening may be needed.

Stuart, R. L., N. J. Bennett, et al. (2001). Assessing the risk of tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers: the Melbourne Mantoux Study. Melbourne Mantoux Study Group. Medical Journal of Australia 174(11): 569-73.