X. TB Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities
Last Updated April 2026
Administrative controls are most important and include measures to reduce the risk of exposure to persons with infectious TB; this includes careful screening, early identification and treatment of patients with active TB disease.
A high index of suspicion is critical.⌃- Patients with or at risk for TB need to be placed in Airborne Infection Isolation precautions upon admission (placed in a negative pressure airborne infection isolation [AII] room).
- Unsuspected patients with active TB disease and misdiagnosis (especially among persons living with HIV who may have “atypical” or non-classical presentations) have led to nosocomial transmission at a number of hospitals (as well as at correctional institutions and other health care facilities).
Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta has prevented nosocomial transmission in large part by the effective use of administrative controls. Careful screening of patients and isolation of those at risk for TB have been accomplished by the introduction of an expanded respiratory isolation policy (Airborne Infection Isolation Precautions).