title: The effectiveness of screening with interferon-gamma release assays in a university health care setting with a diverse global population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This analysis examined the effectiveness of utilizing interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) technology in a TB (TB) screening program at a university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 2299 students at a Montana university who had presented to the university health center for TB screening during 2012 and 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted utilizing data from student health center medical records. Time and financial expenditures were determined, and the cost of the present screening process and 2 alternative scenarios was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The current process is the most costly and time-consuming scenario for TB testing. Testing exclusively with IGRAs is the least labor-intensive for staff and creates revenue, whereas a dual method, utilizing IGRAs for high-risk students and skin tests for others, provides a solution that better responds to the demographic of the population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This assessment shows that IGRAs are a cost-effective tool for screening a global student population.
authors.forename: Samantha J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Golbeck
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059425:Interferon-gamma Release Tests; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D013334:Students; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014495:Universities
keywords: college health; interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA); tuberculosis screening