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Protecting yourself from tuberculosis

Staff Development Weekly: Insight on Evidence-Based Practice in Education, April 21, 2006

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In the Intensive Care Unit, you are always careful to follow isolation guidelines, but one night you have two patients go into cardiac arrest at the same time. The patient in the middle of the unit is in isolation for active tuberculosis (TB) and needs to be helped to the bedside commode. Both you and the patient are in a hurry and the patient has been on TB meds for five days, so you don't bother with a mask. The patient coughs continuously while you're in the room. What's the risk?

You've been working in healthcare for 30 years and haven't caught anything yet. But guess what? You have been exposed to TB. If you become infected and symptomatic, you will expose your new grandchild, your pregnant daughter, and your immune-compromised brother who is on chemotherapy.

Was not wearing a mask worth it? Be sure to protect yourself and your family by following protocols at all times.

Editor's note: The above excerpt is from the online course, "TB Awareness for Nurses: Vital and Practical Steps to Protect Staff and Patients." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to www.hcprofessor.com.

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