Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Policy

In compliance with Kansas Statue KSA 2009 Supp. 65-129, Pittsburg State University has instituted a tuberculosis prevention and control policy for students. 

All new students are required to complete a screening questionnaire to assess their risk factors for tuberculosis. Finalization of the academic enrollment process will be placed on “hold” until requirements of screening questionnaire have been completed. 

Students determined as “high risk” for tuberculosis as defined by Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines will be required to complete a Tuberculosis Risk Assessment form. Tuberculosis testing results are required prior to the start of the semester. Any student who is not in compliance will not be eligible to verify enrollment, receive financial aid, or to attend classes until requirements have been met. 

Link to Tuberculosis Evaluation Requirements by Kansas Statute 65-129e

All international students will be required to comply with the tuberculosis screening process prior to the start of the semester as facilitated through the International Programs department. 

*Visiting scholars from outside the United States will follow the tuberculosis screening policy for the international students.

*In accordance with the State of Kansas legislation (KAR 28-1-20) , any student, faculty or staff who participates in Study Abroad and travels to or resides for more than three months in any country where tuberculosis is endemic will be educated about tuberculosis prior to their departure and strongly encouraged to be screened for tuberculosis after their return. 

Disease Reporting Requirement  

State laws and regulations require that cases of tuberculosis be reported to local and state health departments. 

The Kansas Tuberculosis Control Program along PSU Student Health Services provides assistance with medications for the treatment of tuberculosis infection and disease. 

Standard Operating Procedure 

Subject: Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Protocol

Date: 6/18/12

PREPARED BY: Admin Officer/Operations Director

APPROVED BY: Operations Director July 2012

 

PURPOSE:

In compliance with Kansas Statue KSA 2009 Supp. 65-129, Pittsburg State University has instituted a tuberculosis prevention and control policy for students. In efforts to help avoid an outbreak of tuberculosis on campus, the following protocol concerning risk screening and testing for tuberculosis is in place for Pittsburg State University.

PROCEDURE:

RISK SCREENING PROTOCOL  

All new students are required to complete a screening survey to assess their risk factors for tuberculosis. All international students will be required to comply with the tuberculosis screening process prior to the start of the semester as facilitated through the International Programs department. 

  1. Administrating risk screening survey for new students

All new incoming students accepted to Pittsburg State University will be required to complete the tuberculosis risk screening survey before attending classes. This survey is located and managed for compliance through the Student Health Services website. To access the survey, the student will need his/her username/PSU ID and password/GUSPIN. 

  1. Evaluation of risk screening surveys

Completed surveys will be sent to the Student Health Services. The Student Health Services is responsible for verifying student compliance of the risk screening surveys and managing required follow-up with at risk students. The following information should be indicated in each student’s record:

O Date the survey was received and evaluated

O The number of “yes” responses checked in the survey

O Copy of completed survey 

Students whose surveys contained all “no” responses are deemed NOT to be at risk for tuberculosis. These students do not need to be tested for tuberculosis and will be allowed to complete the enrollment process.

Students whose surveys contained one or more “yes” responses must undergo further evaluation and testing to determine if they have tuberculosis. These students will NOT be allowed to verify enrollment, receive financial aid, or attend classes until the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form has been completed and returned to the Student Health Center. Student Health Services will notify non-compliant students that they need to complete these requirements or be subject to disenrollment from the University. 

TESTING POLICY  

All students who answered “yes” to one or more questions on the risk screening survey are required to complete the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form which includes documentation of a recent tuberculosis skin test. Students who have documented positive skin test results, have a previous history of positive tuberculin skin test, have been treated for latent tuberculosis infection or for previous active tuberculosis disease should provide documentation of appropriate evaluation included on the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form. The Student Health Center offers tuberculosis skin testing and follow-up evaluation for positive skin test reactors. 

Testing Protocol 

The following testing protocol should be followed for all students who answered “yes” to one or more questions on the screening survey. 

Step – 1 – Tuberculosis Testing

All students who answered “yes” to one or more questions on the screening survey are required to be tested for tuberculosis unless there is evidence of a previous documented negative skin test result from the United States done in the last three months and no risk factors were indicated. The Student Health Center is available for administering this test or students who are not currently on campus may obtain this test with his/her local agency/health-care provider. Once notified of their need to be tested for tuberculosis, students should be tested prior to the first day of classes. 

Students, whose tuberculosis test are NEGATIVE and have not indicated any risk factors, are deemed NOT to be infected with tuberculosis and no further testing is needed. These students will be allowed to register for the subsequent academic term. 

Students whose tuberculosis test is POSITIVE must undergo a chest x-ray and clinical evaluation to assess signs and symptoms of tuberculosis. 

Step 2 – Chest X-ray and Diagnosis

All students whose tuberculosis test is POSITIVE or are symptomatic for active tuberculosis disease must undergo a chest x-ray and physical exam with emphasis on signs and symptoms of tuberculosis. Results of the chest x-ray must be provided to the Student Health Center by a certified health provider within one week of learning of a positive test result. The Student Health Center is available by appointment to perform chest x-rays and physical examinations. 

Students whose tuberculosis test is POSITIVE with no signs of active disease on chest x-rays should receive a recommendation to be treated for latent tuberculosis infection with appropriate medication. Latent tuberculosis infection treatment is available through Student Health Services or the student’s local health department. If a student begins treatment but does not complete it, or if a student refuses treatment altogether, an annual symptom evaluation by a medical healthcare provider is required before being allowed to register for subsequent academic terms. 

Students whose chest x-rays are ABNORMAL or students who have signs and symptoms of TUBERCULOSIS need further testing to determine whether they have active tuberculosis disease. Required additional testing is available at the Student Health Center. 

If upon further testing it is determined a student does not have active tuberculosis disease, a diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection is assumed. It is recommended that these students undergo treatment. Latent tuberculosis infection treatment is available through Student Health Services or the student’s local health department. If a student begins treatment but does not complete it, or if a student refuses treatment altogether, an annual symptom evaluation by a medical healthcare provider is required before being allowed to register for subsequent academic terms.

Page revision date: 04/23/2018