TB News 

September 2021

*Follow-up* CDC Guidance of COVID mRNA vaccines, TST, and IGRA


New recommendations released August 31, 2021 about COVID-19 vaccination and the timing of immune-based tests for tuberculosis infection. The recommendation is also highlighted below by our TB News editor.

 

“TSTs and IGRAs were previously recommended to be administered > 4 weeks after completion of COVID-19 vaccination to minimize potential interference between vaccination and TB testing. This was out of an abundance of caution during a period when these vaccines were new. However, given logistical challenges faced in delaying TB infection testing, the recommendation has been updated so that these tests may now be administered without regard to timing of COVID-19 vaccination.” 

Billing LTBI

*New Product* Tips for Coding and Billing: Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment of LTBI in Primary Care Settings


This 7-page booklet is a TB billing and coding guide for physicians, NP/PA, and registered nurses. From Heartland National TB Center.

Tuberculosis_in_the_Community_flipbook_ENGLISH_September 2021.jpg

*New Product* Tuberculosis in the Community - Flipchart


This flipbook can be used by Nurses and other healthcare workers to provide TB education to patients, family members and others impacted by TB. From Heartland National TB Center. The flipbook is organized into 4 sections:

  • What is Tuberculosis?
  • TB Infection
  • TB Disease
  • Special Circumstances (infants & children, pregnant or breastfeeding, HIV & TB)


For LHJs: Delivery Express Courier Accepting All Specimen Types to DOH Public Health Lab

 

WA DOH is pleased to announce that Delivery Express is now accepting all specimen types for delivery to the Public Health Lab in Shoreline. If your jurisdiction is already using Delivery Express for COVID-19 specimens, the process will be the same. If you are not yet using Delivery Express, it is not too late to start! Please contact TBServices@doh.wa.gov or 206.418.5500 for more information on couriering TB specimens from your local health jurisdiction to the Public Health Lab.

For LHJs: EDN Class B Information Update


COVID-19 vaccine information is provided in the “Other” section of the 3025 (Vaccination Documentation Worksheet) form. COVID-19 vaccine is not required for immigration but is being documented by panel physicians country of departure. Panel physicians are providing any available patient medical information (Please note: The COVID-19 vaccination may or not be FDA-authorized vaccine).

For LHJs: Need TB Program Assistance?

 

We realize your LHJ may be experiencing capacity issues. We are available to help with TB case management and contact investigations. Please let us know how we can help. We monitor the TB Services email box (TBServices@doh.wa.gov) and are available by phone at 206-418-5500.

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities


September 9, 2021 | Tuberculosis and Pregnancy

10:00 am - 11:15 am, PT. This Heartland National TB Center webcast is intended for healthcare professionals who are actively engaged in the identification, case management, and treatment of patients with latent TB infection or active TB disease. Register here.


September 16, 2021 | Fundamentals of Contact Investigation

8:00 am - 9:00 am, PT. This Rutgers Global TB Institute event is part of a webinar series on TB fundamentals. Access here.


September 21, 2021 | Considerations for the new four-month rifapentine-moxifloxacin regimen for drug-susceptible TB in the US

11:00 am - 12:20 pm, PT. This event is jointly provided by the TB Centers of Excellence and the CDC. Register here.


September 23, 2021 | Special Circumstances in Contact Investigation

8:00 am - 9:00 am, PT. This Rutgers Global TB Institute event is part of a webinar series on TB fundamentals. Access here.


October 1, 2021 | Fundamentals of Medical & Case Management of Drug-Susceptible TB

12:00 pm - 2:30 pm, PT. This Curry International TB Center training is intended for nurses and case managers who provide care for TB patients within the public health setting. Register here.


October 5-6, 2021 | 69th Tuberculosis/Respiratory Disease Conference and the 38th Southeast TB Control Conference

10:00 am - 2:00 pm, PT. Join the North Carolina TB Control and Prevention Program for the combined 69th Tuberculosis Respiratory Disease Conference and the 38th annual Southeast TB Control Conference. Register here



Online TB Case Management for Nurses

Save the dates for these sessions from Global Rutgers TB Institute: October 14th, 21st, 28th and November 4th, and 9th. Course description.


CITC Training Schedule

To view the Curry schedule of trainings, currently scheduled through August, including the TB Case Management and Contact Investigation Intensive, Click 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.

Articles


Quality Improvement Strategies for LTBI Testing and Treatment for Health Centers Serving Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities

TB Elimination Alliance | 6/2021 | Read here


*Published by TB staff in WA* Delayed Tuberculosis Diagnoses During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in 2020—King County, Washington

Clinical Infectious Diseases | 7/2021 doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab387 | Read here


Tuberculosis-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths after COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place, San Francisco, California, USA

Emerging Infectious Disease | 8/9/2021 | doi: 10.3201/eid2708.210670 | Read here


The results are in: Artificial intelligence outperforms humans at reading chest x-rays for signs of tuberculosis

Stop TB | 8/24/2021 | Read here


Glycemic changes common in patients with tuberculosis but no diabetes

Healio | 8/30/21 | Read here

Videos and Recordings


Union-North America Region Conference: Post Graduate Course Recordings

The CDC TB Centers of Excellence post graduate course explored the dynamic and essential role of the laboratory in the diagnosis and management of persons with TB. Access here.


CITC Archived Webinars

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


Rutgers TB Institute Archived Trainings

CE units are available for these webinars. Access here.


Southeastern National TB Center Archived Webinars

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


Heartland National TB Center


National Society of Tuberculosis Clinicians


CDC

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