May 2023

Nursing Commission Announces: Washington to join the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC)

On April 20, the Governor signed the Nurse Licensure Compact bill as passed by the legislature. The NLC allows a nurse to have one license and practice in their home state and other compact states. This means that nurses who have an active license in another compact state will no longer need a separate Washington state nursing license. This is not yet in effect. Read more here.

Make sure you're signed up for Nursing Commission News and Alerts.

CDC Dear Colleague Letter: TB Drug Supply Interruptions and Shortages

The CDC has released a statement about contributing factors, recommended options to pursue, and other details around the TB drug shortage. Read more here.

USPSTF LTBI Screening Guidelines

The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated recommendations to screen asymptomatic adults at increased risk for tuberculosis infection and shared highlights about the critical role of primary care in tuberculosis prevention. Read more in the JAMA editorial. Access the final recommendation statement on the USPSTF website.

WA State TB Program Manager on Extended Leave

Monica Pecha will be taking an extended leave starting this week until mid-September. During this time, she will be volunteering for a mass TB screening campaign at Chuuk Lagoon. Safe travels and we hope you enjoy your time off, Monica! Please direct communications to [email protected] during this time.

Information for Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs)

2023 Virtual Washington TB LHJ Workshop!

May 24, 2023 from 9 am - 12 pm, PT. Calendar invite was sent 4/7/2023. LHJ staff, please email [email protected] if you would like to attend and have not yet received the invite, or have agenda topic ideas, presentations and requests.

HRSA 340B Recertification for TB Medications

On Monday, May 8th, HRSA began its annual 340B recertification for TB Programs and the recertification window will be open until June 5th.

All of Washington's Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs) will need to be recertified. This annual recertification allows our LHJs to receive TB medications under this federal 340B drug pricing program.  

What this means for your LHJ:

• For most LHJs, DOH will recertify your LHJ and we be reaching out to confirm some basic information to do this.
• For a few other LHJs whose Authorizing Official is an LHJ manager, our program will send you key information enabling you to complete your recertification. 

Be aware:

• Your LHJ's 340B TB Primary Contact (and the Authorizing Official) will receive daily reminder emails from HRSA until HRSA approves the updates--this is normal though annoying.

The WA DOH TB Program will give the LHJs plenty of notice and instruction regarding any changes and what is needed. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

TB Partners SharePoint Updates 

The TB Services & Standards Manual page includes new revisions to the Chapter 15 Travel & Transfers Chapter.

The Arriver Information page includes partners updates under the Uniting for Ukraine and Humanitarian Relief Program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans sections.

The Data Resources page includes the following new or updated resources:

• *Updated* WDRS TB Disease Data Codebook, including V3 variables
• *New* Occupation and Industry Investigator Training

Remember to check the TB Medications page for:

• the latest order forms, medication shortage updates, and program information. DOH has PZA, INH and ethambutol; please reach out to us with your needs and questions.
• the BPaL Guidance (new 3 drug treatment for multidrug-resistant TB) document.

Please contact [email protected] if you are experiencing SharePoint access issues or would like to request access.

Phlebotomy Training Available

The DOH TB Program is partnering with the Phlebotomy Training Center at the University of Washington to offer phlebotomy training for LHJ TB program staff to be able to perform TB blood tests.

This is a two day in-person training in Seattle that requires one month advance notice to schedule. Class space is limited. LHJs who are interested in sending over staff to obtain this certification through June 30, 2023, should contact [email protected].

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities

July 6, 2023 | Case Management for Latent TB Infection

This Curry National TB Center (CITC) training is intended for nurses and case managers who provide care to persons undergoing evaluation and/or treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI). Register here.

June 12-15, 2023 | 2023 National TB Conference

The in-person National TB Conference will take place in Atlanta, GA. Register here.

July 2023 | Curry International TB Center Seattle Trainings

The application deadline for these Seattle in-person trainings is May 26, 2023.

• July 11, 2023: Tuberculosis Nursing Workshop
• July 12, 2023: Focus on LTBI
• July 13-14, 2023: Tuberculosis Clinical Intensive

Fundamentals of Medical & Case Management of Drug-Susceptible TB

This CITC training is intended for nurses and case managers who provide care for TB patients within the public health setting. Registration will be available on 5/17.

Mycobacterium Interest Group Seminar Series

The Seattle TB Research Advancement Center (SEATRAC) holds monthly Friday sessions (typically on the fourth Friday) which features both basic science and clinical science presentations. More information here.

Washington's TB Project ECHO

12:30-1:30 pm PT. On Mondays join our lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. For more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.

Newcomer Health ECHO

This ECHO Colorado series is designed to increase medical providers' knowledge of the resettlement and health issues of newcomers, including refugee, immigrant and migrant (RIM) populations. These virtual sessions are held on the last Tuesday of the month. More information here.

Articles

​Provisional CDC Guidance for the Use of Pretomanid as part of a Regimen [Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Linezolid (BPaL)] to Treat Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Disease

CDC | 5/2023

Access to Tuberculosis Treatment, at Least $22 Billion in Global Response Key to Combat Killer Disease, Deputy Secretary-General Tells Multi-stakeholder Hearing

United Nations | 5/2023

Gaucher disease protects against tuberculosis

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | 2/2023 | doi: 10.1073/pnas.2217673120 

Video Recordings and Education Opportunities

CITC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.

Rutgers TB Institute Webinar Archives

CE units are available for select archives for a limited time frame.

SNTC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units are not offered for these trainings. Access here.

SNTC Online Courses

CME/CE units are offered for these trainings. Access here.

• When TB is the Least of Their Worries: Mini-Course Series (expires 9/3/2025)

CDC: TB 101 for Health Care Workers

CE units expire on 11/6/2023 and are available at no cost. Access here.

TB ECHO Recorded Archives

Missed a TB ECHO^® session? TB ECHO^® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO® here

Tools and Resources



CDC

• CDC Learning Connection.
• CDC TRAIN is a comprehensive catalog of free public health training opportunities from the Public Health Foundation. For TB-related trainings, click here.
• FindTBResources.cdc.gov - TB educational materials for patients and providers.
• Visit Everyday Words for Public Health Communication to find plain language alternatives for public health jargon.
• TB Personal Stories patient videos to help raise awareness about TB in the US.
• we are TB offers comprehensive peer support for current TB patients and TB clinics, including weekly live support group sessions.
• Subscribe to the CDC's quarterly newsletter, TB Notes!

DOH Refugee Health Program

• Afghan Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources).
• Ukrainian Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources to support new arrivals from Ukraine (scroll down for TB resources).

Heartland National TB Center

• Stop the Stigma: Eliminating Stigmatizing Language Resources (Heartland products and training materials will soon be found on the new 2023-2027 TB COE sites)

Southeastern National TB Center

• Individualized Country Guides

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