Results from a Mantoux screening programme of staff in the care of the elderly and mental health fields at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of occupational exposure to tuberculosis among the staff at Wakari Hospital, Dunedin.


METHODS
368 staff (including around 90% of the nurses) were given a 5 TU Mantoux test, and the results were analysed.


RESULTS
39.5% of people had a positive reaction. The data was examined in terms of age, length of service and area of work. Ethnic background was not considered. Comparisons with a preemployment group and a subsample of those under the age of 35 years revealed an effect from occupational exposure alone. The proportion of positive reactions was similar across both short and long stay areas of the care of the elderly and mental health services. Despite the occurrence of several diagnosed active cases of tuberculosis within the last four years, the rate of positive reactions was similar across all clinical areas.


CONCLUSIONS
This unexpectedly high rate of positive reactions challenges the Tuberculosis Guidelines (1992) categorisation of healthcare personnel outside a tuberculosis ward as at medium rather than high risk of infection, and reinforces the need to develop consistent protocols for staff and patient screening. It also raises the question of the actual risk status of other continuing care facilities throughout New Zealand.
Lawson
J
J
Wakari Hospital, Dunedin.
Caygill
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005853:Geriatrics; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009520:New Zealand; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*