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Health Advisory: Tuberculosis Testing For People Who Were Previously Incarcerated
11/30/2023 The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC), and local health jurisdictions continue to work to address a large tuberculosis (TB) outbreak within the state prison system. Since July 2021, 28 people have been diagnosed with active TB; during the outbreak investigation, DOH and DOC identified over 2900 potentially…
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Tdap and Pregnancy
Pertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every three to five years. Even though we have a vaccine, pertussis is a common infectious disease. There are 10,000 to 40,000 cases and 10 to 20 deaths per year.[1] Pertussis is most serious in infants younger than six months.…
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Chlamydia Diagnosis Follow-up
Provider Checklist Patient treatment for chlamydia is not complete without partner treatment. After receiving a positive chlamydia result, check the following steps to help stop the spread of chlamydia and to protect your patient from reinfection: Provide patient education on essential points: Take medications as prescribed. Do not have sex for seven days after treatment,…
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Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings
What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How…
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Environmental Cleaning
Quick Reference: Environmental Cleaning How to clean equipment and surfaces, when to clean, what to use Visibly Soiled surfaces: Scrub the surface with a cleaner/detergent or a disinfectant that contains a cleaner/detergent. Wear gloves! May need to rinse (check label). Will NOT need to rinse if using a wipe that contains both a detergent and…
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Training Resources National Clinicians’ Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEPline) Hotline (888) HIV-4911 Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can present serious risks to healthcare providers. Prompt post-exposure treatment for HIV and hepatitis B virus can be effective, but because each exposure case is unique, determining who should receive prophylaxis and which drugs are most appropriate…
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Tuberculosis FAQ
Tuberculosis Screening Tests Tuberculosis skin test (TST) (formerly known as PPD) Tubersol or Aplisol can be purchased through your medical supply chain. Ten or 50 dose vials, once opened must be used within 28 days. Requires skill to apply intradermally and read results properly. Patient must have two office visits. Sensitive test and inexpensive. See…
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Tuberculosis Sputum Specimens
Suspicion of Active Tuberculosis Notify the Health Department of suspected active tuberculosis or positive AFB (acid-fast bacilli) smears or cultures. Patients Without Insurance Contact the Health Department. They may contact the patient and arrange to drop off and pick up sputum collection cups. Testing will be done at the Washington State Public Health Lab (PHL)…