Tuberculosis: protecting healthcare workers

The global incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is rising. Many more healthcare workers are coming into contact with the disease now that it has reached its highest infection rate for 17 years (Sadler 2001). Modern screening methods allow detection of infection, and a strict antibiotic regimen can prevent and cure disease. A clinical placement at a chest clinic in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, provided a useful insight into methods used for the screening and control of TB, and allowed a comparison and analysis of how infection is monitored and controlled among healthcare workers. Although approaches and procedures differ, this information provides scope for analysis and discussion, which can be shared to achieve the best outcome locally, nationally and internationally to protect citizens against this increasing global communicable disease.