Prevention of occupational exposure of tuberculosis to health care workers

The resurgence of tuberculosis in the United States within the past decade has prompted the health care community to develop tuberculosis elimination policies. However, recent outbreaks of tuberculosis have proved to be resistant to multiple antibiotics. Tuberculosis infections among health care workers is also rising. This increase in occupational exposures has prompted the examination of current exposure control measures. The occupational exposure to tuberculosis is prevented by the use of administrative policies, engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Each control measure has inherent strengths and weaknesses and when implemented through an exposure control plan the risk of occupational exposure can be reduced. Control techniques currently utilized may benefit from additional research and development. The research will not be squandered if tuberculosis is ultimately eliminated, as the knowledge gained may prove beneficial for exposure protection from future bio-hazardous aerosols