Pittsburg State University

TB Test Policy

All individuals falling within the following categories must be tested for tuberculosis and receive clearance by Student Health Services prior to enrollment in classes and/or commencement of their university assignment.

All international students and all accompanying persons who will reside with an international student.

  • Domestic students returning from travel or study abroad as part of a sanctioned PSU study abroad or student exchange program. This testing must occur six weeks after the student has returned from his/her travels abroad.
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  • Visiting scholars from outside the United States (whose visit duration is longer than one week) and all accompanying persons who will reside with a visiting scholar.
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  • Faculty and staff returning from travel abroad required as part of a sanctioned PSU event and all accompanying persons. This testing must occur six weeks after the faculty or staff has returned from his/her travels abroad.
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  • All individuals subject to this policy as listed above who have previously received testing clearance, but who travel abroad as part of a sanctioned PSU event during the duration of their enrollment or employment at PSU, will be required to be tested six weeks after their return to the United States.
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  • Students, faculty and staff returning from personal travel abroad (not as a part of a university sanctioned or directed program) are encouraged to participate in the testing and clearance process. The testing and evaluation services will be available from Student Health Services for those taking personal travel at the same rate outlined below.

Clearance by Student Health Services is required before the individuals noted above can enroll or return to their employment at Pittsburg State University. This clearance will consist of documentation signed by the Student Health physician noting that the individual is in compliance with the procedures set out for tuberculosis testing. This clearance form must be submitted by the individual to the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS). OIPS is responsible for placing and clearing registration holds for all students and for notifying the appropriate area of clearance for assignment of visiting scholars, faculty and staff subject to this policy. A registration hold will be placed upon all students who are not in compliance with the university tuberculosis testing procedures. Visiting scholars, faculty and staff not in compliance with the university tuberculosis testing procedure will not receive clearance for assignment.

The tuberculosis testing procedures are as follows:

  • An individual will be administered a TB skin test. Newly arriving individuals should be tested immediately. Individuals returning from trips abroad should be tested six weeks after their return to PSU.
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  • If the result of the TB skin test is negative, the individual will receive documentation stating that he/she is in compliance with the university TB testing procedures.
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  • If the skin test is positive, the individual will then be given a chest x-ray. Those individuals who refuse to take a chest x-ray will not receive clearance from Student Health Services for their enrollment or assignment at PSU.
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  • If the x-ray is suggestive of tuberculosis then the individual is referred to a pulmonologist for an evaluation. Clearance for enrollment or assignment will be determined based on the pulmonologist's diagnosis and recommendation. Those individuals who receive a positive skin test and negative chest x-ray will be subject to subsequent procedures and/or treatment.
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  • Those individuals who refuse to participate in subsequent procedures and/or treatment will be subject to review each semester by Student Health Services. These individuals must receive subsequent treatment or subject themselves to review each semester before they will receive clearance from Student Health Services.
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  • Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-116a, if the skin test is positive and the chest x-ray is positive, the individual is defined as "having tuberculosis." Pursuant to K.S.A. 65-118, the Student Health Officer must report such information immediately to the county board of health. Except for that information required to be reported to the county board of health, such information shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed or made public.

A nominal fee for all persons subject to this policy must be paid at the time the test is administered. Follow-up services for students associated with a positive test can be provided by Student Health Services or referred to the student's private physician. Positive tests for faculty and staff may be referred to their private physician when it is determined appropriate by either the faculty/staff member or Student Health Services.

August 2004