Failure to Implement Pre-Employment TB Screening
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement pre-employment tuberculosis (TB) screening procedures for one of five newly hired employees reviewed, identified as Employee 3. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, all U.S. health care personnel should be screened for TB upon hire using either a TB blood test or a two-step TB skin test. The baseline individual TB risk assessment should be used to interpret the results of these tests. If a previous documented negative TB result is available from less than 12 months before new employment, only a single test is required. The deficiency was identified through a review of select personnel records and staff interviews, indicating non-compliance with the CDC guidelines for TB screening in health care settings.
Plan Of Correction
The facility cannot retroactively obtain a TB result for employee 3. A TB result has since been obtained. A review of current employees hired within the last 6 months was completed to ensure that each had obtained the appropriate TB results prior to beginning employment. The HR Coordinator and representatives from the facilities contracted partners will be educated on ensuring TB surveillance and pre-employment screening. The Administrator or designee will complete audits of all new hires to ensure that each receives the appropriate TB screening prior to employment. The results of the audits will be reviewed at the facilities QAPI meeting for recommendations.