Tuberculosis Screening

Although confirmed cases of tuberculosis continue to decline in New York City, the rate here is still double the rate of the nation. 70% of the new cases are foreign born. TB is especially dangerous for people with HIV and the co-infection with HIV remains around 13%. All Provider sites need to be vigilant in screening and treating to prevent outbreaks in this high-risk population.

Amida Care now has available, only through Bendiner & Schlesinger Labs, Inc. , the QuantiFERON-TB Gold IT blood test for the detection of TB under test number 2064 . Important thing to remember is that the specimen must be processed within 16-hours of draw.

QuantiFERON-TB GOLD IT is an FDA approved blood test for the detection of tuberculosis (TB) infection. It is a modern alternative to the tuberculin skin test (TST). It offers the clinician a simpler, accurate, and convenient aid in the diagnosis of active TB or the presence of LTBI. This is more accurate than TST for the foreign born who have been given BCG.

It should not be used in patients currently receiving treatment for active or latent TB and it does not replace clinical judgment, but it does eliminate the need for the two-step testing required when using TST for screening.

This should increase compliance with the TB screening indicator for HIVQUAL and assist you when a patient is placed in housing or treatment facility that requires a TB screen before admittance. This should become a routine part of annual comprehensive exam blood draw panel.

For more information about using the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Test , please click here for the TB QTF Fact Sheet.