NCJ Number
121646
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 29,116,118,120
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The control of tuberculosis (TB) among inmates and staff of correctional facilities requires surveillance, containment, and assessment.
Abstract
Each correctional institution should designate an appropriately trained official to be responsible for operating a TB prevention and control program in the institution. A multi-institutional system should have a qualified official and unit to oversee TB-control activities throughout the system. These responsibilities should be specified in the official's job performance plan. The basic activities to be conducted are surveillance, containment, and assessment. Surveillance refers to identification and reporting of all TB cases in the system or institution and the identification of all inmates and staff infected with TB. Containment refers to ensuring that transmission of TB infection does not occur. Appropriate diagnostic, treatment, prevention, and laboratory services must be available. Assessment refers to prison officials' responsibility for knowing whether the surveillance and containment activities are being effectively implemented. Health departments should assist correctional institutions in developing and updating policies, procedures, and record systems for TB control.