Status of Tuberculosis Infection Control in Hospitals

Lee, Na Young; Kim, Kyung Hee; Kang, Hee Sun

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the status of tuberculosis (TB) infection control in hospitals. METHOD: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which self-administered questionnaires were used to survey 77 hospitals. Data were collected from August 12 to September 15, 2012.
RESULTS
Only 27 institutions (35.1%) were monitoring patients infected with or suspected of having TB. Most hospitals were conducting TB prevention education for patients' family and employees, and TB screening for employees along with follow-up examinations. However, private negative pressure rooms were more often available in wards and intensive care units than in outpatient departments, and in institutions with over 700 beds located in Seoul or GyeongGi Province. Most hospitals ensured that masks were placed on infected patients while transporting them. In addition, efforts to control TB infection such as placing respiratory etiquette posters in outpatient departments and airborne infection signs on the doors in the wards were also well established in most institutions.
CONCLUSION
More efforts are needed to improve the status of TB infection control to ensure quality care, especially in terms of monitoring patients with TB infections and making private negative pressure rooms available in outpatient departments.