Section 160. Tuberculosis screening for staff and independent contractors

A. Each staff member and individual from an independent contractor shall submit documentation of a negative tuberculosis screening.

Documentation of the screening shall be submitted no later than 21 days after employment or volunteering and shall have been completed within 12 months prior to or 21 days after employment or volunteering.

B. Acceptable forms of documentation of tuberculosis screening are:

1. A clearance statement signed by a physician, the physician's designee or an official of the local health department. This statement shall include language that the individual does not have any current symptoms of active tuberculosis, does not have either a risk factor for acquiring tuberculosis infection or a risk factor for progression to active tuberculosis disease as defined by the local health department, or has been treated for these conditions in the past, and is currently free of tuberculosis in a communicable form. Individuals who have a risk factor for progression to active tuberculosis disease as defined by the Virginia Department of Health shall submit documentation as stated in subdivision 2 or 3 of this subsection;

2. The results of a negative tuberculin skin test (TST). The documentation shall include the date the test was given and results of the test and be signed by a physician, physician's designee or an official of the local health department.

3. The results of a chest x-ray negative for active tuberculosis disease. The documentation shall include the date of the test and location where the examination was performed.

C. At least every two years from the date of the initial screening or testing, or more frequently if recommended by a licensed physician or the local health department, staff members and individuals from independent contractors shall obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening as stated in subsection B of this section.

D. Any staff member or individual from an independent contractor who develops symptoms compatible with active tuberculosis disease, regardless of the date of the last tuberculosis screening or assessment, shall obtain and submit within 14 days a determination of noncontagiousness by a physician or local health department.

1. Until such determination is made, that staff member may not be permitted to work at the center.

2. Any staff member or individual from an independent contractor who comes in contact with a known active case of tuberculosis or who tests positive on a tuberculin skin test, regardless of the date of the last tuberculosis screening or assessment, shall submit within 30 days a statement indicating that all needed follow-up for the incident has been completed and that the individual is free of tuberculosis in a communicable form. This statement shall be signed by a physician, physician's designee or an official of the local health department.

Historical Notes

Former 22VAC15-30-180 derived from VR175-08-01 § 2.14, eff. November 1, 1993; amended, Volume 12, Issue 04, eff. March 1, 1996; Volume 14, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 1998; Volume 21, Issue 12, eff. June 1, 2005; amended and renumbered as 22VAC40-185-160, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 01, eff. November 1, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§§ 63.2-217 and 63.2-1734 of the Code of Virginia.