[Survey on nosocomial infection of tuberculosis in nursing homes for elderly in Osaka City].
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain tuberculosis (TB) infection control measures and incidence of TB in nursing homes for elder.


METHODS
The questionnaire on TB infection control was distributed to all nursing homes in Osaka City in 2005.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was returned from 197 (90%) out of 219 facilities. In more than half of facilities, infection control committee was organized (57%) and automated ventilation system was installed (59%). In almost all facilities, residents had annual chest X-ray screening (94%). Respiratory symptoms were checked for residents and "day service" users in majority of facilities. 100% of employees had annual chest X-ray screening. However TB education session for employees was held annually in only 40% of facilities. Education materials on TB were distributed in 19%. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was conducted for new employees in 31%. TB patients were diagnosed in 22% of facilities in the past 3 years from 2002 to 2004. Incidence rate of TB is 75.2 per 100,000 for residents and 24.1 per 100,000 for employees. Analysis showed that TB incidence rate is higher in facilities with larger number of residents and in facilities where infection control committee is organized, and facilities where TST is conducted for new employees.


CONCLUSIONS
In Osaka City, TB infection control was more often implemented in facilities where TB patient was diagnosed. When age structure is taken into consideration, TB incidence rate of employees or residents was lower than general population. Nosocomial TB infection does not seem to be occurring in nursing homes. However, as TB patients were diagnosed occasionally, TB infection control measures should be strengthened in Osaka City.
Shimouchi
Akira
A
Osaka City Public Health Office, 1-2-7-1000, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 545-0051, Japan. a-shimouchi@city.osaka.lg.jp
Koda
Shinichi
S
Ochiai
Hirotaka
H
D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*