Hospitals in England are failing to follow guidance for tuberculosis infection control - results of a National Survey

Tuberculosis outbreaks can occur in hospitals if adequate infection control is not in place. UK guidelines on the prevention of tuberculosis transmiss ion have recently been published. A national survey of acute NHS Trusts in England was conducted to evaluate whether tuberculosis infection control in hospitals is consistent with the new guidance. There was a 72% response ra te (144 NHS Trusts). Sixty percent of Trusts had updated their tuberculosis infection control plans since the new guidance was published. Even trusts with updated plans failed to meet guidance in many areas. Thirty five perce nt of Trusts had negative pressure facilities for the isolation of infectio us tuberculosis patients. Depending on the risk category of the patient, 45 -67% of Trusts met guidelines for isolation of infectious patients. Patient s frequently left isolation for non-medical reasons. Only a minority of Tru sts complied with guidance for respiratory protection of staff and visitors . These findings suggest that many Trusts remain at risk of outbreaks of tu berculosis and therefore need to re-examine infection control procedures an d the availability of isolation facilities. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.