英文摘要 |
Taiwan will become hyper-aged society by 2025. The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the elderly is higher than in any other age group. Moreover, atypical clinical manifestations may occur among elderly populations, leading to difficulties in diagnosis and prevention. Elderly populations with high incidences of TB, combined with a declining immune function, can activate latent TB infection (LTBI). Therefore, latent TB infection in the elderly is a major public health problem. The recommendations developed in this work include: an overview of TB (LTBI, symptoms and diagnosis of active pulmonary TB), reporting requirements, resident screening programs (new admission screening program, admissions for residents with known or suspected TB, readmission screening and resident recordkeeping), and healthcare worker (HCW) screening programs (new HCW TB symptom screening, annual HCW screening program, post-exposure HCW screening, retention of records, and TB education). The purpose of these recommendations is to provide a framework for infection control staff and long-term care providers for the design and implementation of screening programs for residents and employees with TB. Therefore, TB transmission may be reduced through the prompt detection and management of active TB cases. |