Critical care and tuberculosis

The scientific literature documents the resurgence of airborne nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to patients and health care providers that has occurred in the last decade. Tuberculosis may not be recognized or diagnosed at the time of admission to the intensive care unit, adding to the risk of disease transmission to nurses, other health care providers, and patients. In the critical care setting, compliance with infection control requires the integration of specific policies and procedures into crises-based practices.