Tuberculosis Section (TB)

Educational Resources for Clinicians and Healthcare Providers

Also see Publications, Reports, Manuals & Guidelines

Archived webinars and online courses from the Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers (RTMCC) & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Control (CDC).

• Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC)
• Heartland National Tuberculosis Center
• Northeastern Regional Training & Medical Consultation Consortium
• Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center
• CDC

CDC, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination Web-based Courses

Public Health Grand Rounds

Product Listing from all the Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers

CDC Factsheets
Factsheets covering multiple aspects of TB screening, diagnosis & treatment.

Medical Management of Tuberculosis
This slide presentation with streaming audio will provide information on how to manage treatment of tuberculosis (TB). A question and answer guide, a printable PowerPoint slide file, and other useful resources are also included as supplemental reading materials.

Management of the TB Patient at Risk of Hepatoxicity
Visual flowchart that explains how to manage a TB patient that may be at risk of hepatoxicity.

Monitoring Patient on Anti-TB Medication
This audio conference provides a basic foundation for understanding side effects and adverse reactions of TB medications to effectively monitor patients and provide education.

Differences in Clinical Presentation Among Persons with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Report of a study conducted to compare the clinical presentation of documented and undocumented Foreign-Born persons versus U.S.-Born persons.

Tuberculosis at a Glance
This booklet provides basic information on the diagnosis, treatment and management of latent tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease. It was produced by the Heartland National TB Center.

BCG
Resources for Question: “Can a tuberculin skin test (TST) be administered to a person who had the BCG vaccine in the past?”

Case Management for Nurses
These four self-study modules provide an overview of public health nursing and discuss the fundamentals of TB case management, leadership skills of the nurse case manager and management of the pediatric patient. Each module contains review questions and references.

Planning & Implementing the TB Case Management Conference
This manual is a step-by-step guide for developing and conducting the case management conference.

Goal Matrix Tool: Uniform Clinical Performance Measures for TB Nurse Case Managers, 2006
The goal matrix tool provides uniform clinical performance measures for activities TB nurse case manager’s (NCMs) typically perform at the patient-provider level. The tool was developed by the National TB Nurse Coalition (NTNC) Informatics Committee.

TB Guidelines: for Nurses in the Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis, 2nd Edition
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) prepared these guidelines to strengthen nursing capacity related to TB and to enhance the effectiveness of TB control measures worldwide.

Radiographic Manifestations of Tuberculosis: A Primer for Clinicians, Second Edition
Using a self-study format, this publication presents the physical principles of plain chest radiography. Topics include Basic Chest Radiograph Interpretation, Radiographic Manifestations of Tuberculosis, and Clinical Cases.

Chest X-Rays
Resources for Question: “Does a person with a previously positive TST need additional/annual chest X-rays?”

Contact Investigation: TB Interviewing for Contact Investigation
This resource set includes an interview checklist and detailed TB interview outline booklet. The checklist identifies the five components of a TB interview: pre-interview activities, introduction, information/education exchange, contact identification and conclusion, detailed in the outline.

Contact Investigation: Performance Guidelines for the TB Interview
This manual provides a structured plan for the training, development and evaluation of healthcare workers involved in contact investigation. It focuses on interview techniques and communication skills and provides data collection instruments for the provision of objective feedback to the interviewer.

Performance Guidelines: A Supervisor’s Guide for the Development and Assessment of Field Investigation Skills
This resource provides supervisors with methods for training and tools to assess a healthcare worker’ field investigation skills including ability to set priorities, locate patients and provide motivation and education to ensure medical evaluation, utilize appropriate investigation techniques and disposition of investigations in a timely manner.

Contact Investigations for Tuberculosis
Self-Study Module 6: Contact Investigations for Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis Contact Investigations in Congregate Settings
This guide is designed for use in the evaluation of a TB contact investigation in congregate settings, which are a specific type of contact investigation.

TB Contact Investigation in Jail: A Facilitator Guide
This training product presents information for training about: the risk of TB transmission in a jail setting, how TB can affect jail inmates and employees, and how to perform a contact investigation in the jail setting.

The Florida Department of Health Correctional Resources
Resource book, websites, pamphlets & audio-visual material pertaining to corrections.

The Texas Department of Health Correctional Videos (now in DVD format). To order, call 512-458-7447.

• Preventing Tuberculosis in Correctional Facilities – 22 min.
• Safely Transporting Inmates with Tuberculosis – 14 min.
• I Wish I’d Known Then What I Know Now – 9 min.

TB Contact Investigation in Jail: A Facilitator Guide
This training product presents information for training about: the risk of TB transmission in a jail setting, how TB can affect jail inmates and employees, and how to perform a contact investigation in the jail setting.

Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center (SNTC)
A collection of resources and reference materials pertinent to Corrections.

• Consultation
  Consultation is also provided by an SNTC expert with years of public health and corrections experience geared toward the unique circumstances faced by corrections staff and the public health corrections liaison. Contact Ellen Murray at SNTC for answers to those questions about TB behind the bars.
• TB in Corrections Series
  A 3-day course. Contact Karen Simpson at SNTC for schedule. (1-888-265-7682).

Directly Observed Therapy Training Curriculum for TB Control Programs
This training curriculum was developed to improve the skills of DOT workers in public health TB control programs. It is targeted to TB controllers, program managers, health educators and others who train DOT staff.

Guidelines for Initiating a School-Based Directly Observed Therapy Program
The standard of care for tuberculosis (TB) disease is directly observed therapy (DOT) for the entire treatment period. While DOT for treatment of latent TB infection is also recommended, it is strongly suggested for individuals at high risk for progression to active TB disease. In both cases, this principle especially applies to treatment for children. The school setting is an ideal place for a child to receive medication for tuberculosis infection and disease.

Patient Adherence to TB Treatment
Self-Study Modules on Tuberculosis - Module 9: Patient Adherence to Tuberculosis Treatment Reading Material Using DOT to Improve Adherence Directly Observed Therapy (DOT)

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: A Survival Guide for Clinicians, 2nd edition
First released in 2004, the Guide is a joint publication of CNTC and the Tuberculosis Control Branch of the California Department of Public Health. It contains information and user-friendly tools and templates for use by any clinician who participates in the management of patients with drug-resistant TB. The 10 chapters and 15 appendices cover major topics pertaining to epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, medications, monitoring, special situations, adverse reactions, case management, legal issues, and treatment of contacts.

• Book
• CD-Rom

Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis: An Online Presentation
This 60-minute slide and audio presentation is designed for clinicians who diagnose and treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. The course provides a thorough epidemiological and clinical overview of MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB, includes resource materials, and outlines nationally recognized MDR consultation services that are currently available.

MDR TB Medications: Characteristics of 2nd Line Drugs Chart

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB) and Extensively-Drug Resistant (XDR) TB
Webinar - August 17, 2007 (Slide set & text)
The web-based seminar was presented by the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in joint sponsorship with the Francis J. Curry National Tuberculosis Center, Heartland National Tuberculosis Center, Southeastern National Tuberculosis Center, and the New Jersey Medical School Global Tuberculosis Institute.

Basic Epidemiology for Public Health Staff
This resource provides a background on basic epidemiology for tuberculosis program staff. The information in this guide will assist in analyzing and making practical use of data, assessing current and evolving trends in TB morbidity, identifying risk groups and determining where to allocate staff and resources.

How do I perform a respirator fit test?
A procedure for qualitatively fit testing respirators used to protect employees from exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb).

TB Respiratory Protection Program in Healthcare Facilities – Administrator’s Guide
Health care workers exposed to patients with infectious TB require protection from that disease. Because the use of engineering controls (such as isolation rooms and ventilation) may not completely control the TB hazard, respiratory protection is needed. NIOSH Guide.

U. S. Department of Labor – Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Appendix A to § 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures.

Reporting of Tuberculosis
Reporting requirements and procedures.

Services Available
Collaboration between private physicians and the local health departments are vital. Explanation of services available for TB patients and contacts.

Identifying Missed Opportunities for Preventing Tuberculosis
This manual is to be used with active TB cases to document the extent to which cases could have been prevented.

Treating the Tuberculosis Patient: A Guide for Collaborating with Community Physicians
This handbook was designed for use by state and local health department personnel who manage TB patients.

TB and HIV coinfection

Rifampicin-Antiretroviral Interaction: Dosing Change for NNRTI, PI, CCR5 Inhibitor, Integrase Inhibitor Chart

Addressing HIV/AIDS Issues in TB Contact Investigations
This guide aims to strengthen the Contact Investigator’s skills in engaging clients in discussion about HIV counseling, testing, and referral. HIV counseling and testing must be seen as the standard of care for TB assessment and treatment of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis Infection Control: A Practical Manual for Preventing TB
This manual is designed to provide information about TB infection control to clinics, homeless shelters, hospitals, and other interested parties.

Estimating the Infectiousness of a TB Patient
Quick documentation sheet from the Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities, 2005.

Infectiousness and Infection Control
Self-Study Module 5: Infectiousness and Infection Control.

Shelters and TB: What Staff Need to Know, Second Edition
Designed for homeless shelter staff, this 18-minute training video is about how to prevent the spread of TB in homeless shelters.

Georgia Public Health Laboratory
The mission of the Public Health Laboratory is to provide screening, diagnostic and reference laboratory services to citizens of the State through county health departments, public health clinics, physicians, hospitals and state agencies.

Appendix H – Mycobacteriology Lab Tests
A quick reference from the Georgia Tuberculosis Policy & Procedure Manual.

AFB Smear and Culture
Information about sputum testing for Acid-fast bacillus smear, culture, and sensitivity.

Application of Genotyping to Tuberculosis Prevention and Control
Handbook for TB Controllers, Epidemiologists, Laboratorians, and Other Program Staff Prepared by the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Group on Tuberculosis Genotyping.

Practical Applications of Genotyping in TB Control
A National, Web-based Seminar broadcast on January 23, 2008. The 90-minute seminar provides an introduction to genotyping, interpretation of data, the national genotyping program, and its various applications.

Targeted Testing and Treatment of Latent TB Infection
Update your knowledge of targeted testing and treatment of latent TB infection with this slide presentation with streaming audio. Dr. Masae Kawamura narrates this presentation for healthcare professionals and introduces the new blood test for TB. A question and answer guide, a printable PowerPoint slide file, and other useful resources are also included as supplemental reading materials.

Treating Latent Tuberculosis Infection in High-Risk Populations
These tools are primarily for urban TB programs wishing to improve secondary prevention of TB in those groups at highest risk of progression to TB disease, including the homeless, chemically dependent and mentally ill.

Assessing and Managing the Risk of Liver Disease in the Treatment of LTBI
This fact sheet is a flow chart that guides the health provider in making treatment decisions for patients with LTBI whose initial evaluation suggests a liver disorder.

Adherence to Treatment for LTBI: A Manual for Healthcare Providers
Overview of adherence to pharmacological therapy in general, with particular emphasis on LTBI treatment adherence. It then presents established and innovative approaches to improving adherence to treatment of LTBI including an overview of the program evaluation process through which the implementation and impact of adherence support interventions may be evaluated.

Pediatric TB for the Private Provider CD
This educational CD is intended to improve the management and care of pediatric tuberculosis in the private sector. Includes four recorded presentations, Q&A Sessions, and many other learning and resource materials. Free CE and CME offered.

Pediatric Tuberculosis: An Online Presentation
This 50-minute slide and audio presentation is designed for clinicians who diagnose and treat tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection in children. The course provides a thorough clinical overview of pediatric TB and includes over 30 supplemental resource materials

Pediatric Tuberculosis: A Guide to the Gastric Aspirate (GA) Procedure
This is an online resource that helps clinicians determine when to use and how to conduct the Gastric Aspirate procedure. In addition, the reourcel also provides helpful tips, a list of tools and supplies needed for the procedure, and reading materials for healthcare providers and families.

Pediatric Tuberculosis Update
Audio conference. Topics include targeted tuberculin testing, the role of risk assessment tools, interpretation of Mantoux skin test results, and the importance of thorough contact investigations. The format includes a didactic lecture, case discussion, and a question and answer session.

Epidemiology of Pediatric Tuberculosis in the United States, 1993-2006
This slide set provides an overview of the epidemiology of pediatric TB in the United States

A Guide to Developing a TB Program Evaluation Plan
This document is intended to help TB program staff develop and write an evaluation plan. It consists of a template for writing your evaluation plan, followed by detailed instructions and guidance for filling in each section, as well as a sample evaluation plan.

Aggregate Reports for Tuberculosis Program Evaluation: Training Manual and User’s Guide
This manual will help you in three general tasks for ARPEs. The first task is collecting the best data that is feasible in your setting. The second is assembling the data, storing and combining the reports, and submitting them efficiently. The third is the most important: interpreting the results of your reports while considering their limitations. This final task creates the opportunities for improvements in your tuberculosis-prevention activities.

National TB Indicators
A monitoring system for tracking the progress of U.S. tuberculosis (TB) control programs toward achieving the national TB program objectives

Understanding the TB Cohort Review Process
This document will explain what the cohort review method is, how to use it to enhance current TB control activities, and how to adapt it to your own program area. It is intended primarily for the management team—the program manager, medical reviewer, and epidemiologist or data analyst—or the staff person who performs these functions in your program area. It will also be a useful training resource and reference tool for case managers and their supervisors as they participate in reviewing the outcomes of treatment for TB disease and contact investigations.

Pregnancy: Evaluation of Pregnant Patient at Risk for Tuberculosis Chart

Tuberculosis and Pregnancy
Fact sheet

Tuberculin Skin Testing During Pregnancy
A quick documentation sheet about administering TSTs during pregnancy from Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-care Settings, 2005, MMWR December 30, 2005; Vol. 54 (No. RR-17), page 49.

LTBI Treatment During pregnancy & breastfeeding
Quick documentation sheet from Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection, MMWR, June 9, 2000, Vol. 49 / No. RR-6 p. 34-35.

Georgia TB Update and Skin Test Certification class

Targeted Testing and Treatment of Latent TB Infection
Update your knowledge of targeted testing and treatment of latent TB infection with this slide presentation with streaming audio. Dr. Masae Kawamura narrates this presentation for healthcare professionals and introduces the new blood test for TB. A question and answer guide, a printable PowerPoint slide file, and other useful resources are also included as supplemental reading materials.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis of Latent Tuberculosis Infection for the 21st Century
This monograph discusses targeted tuberculin skin testing for latent TB infection as a strategic component of TB control.

Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Video Facilitator Guide
Download the transcript for the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test Videotape Facilitator Guide. Incorporated within the transcript are facilitator notes offering suggestions for discussion during a training conducted with this videotape.

Tuberculin Skin Testing
Fact sheet

Targeted Tuberculin Testing and Interpreting Tuberculin Skin Test Results
Fact sheet

Two-Step and Baseline Testing
Quick documentation sheet about baseline testing from the Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005. MMWR 2005; 54 (No. RR-17).

The Booster Phenomenon
Chart showing the booster phenomenon and two-step testing procedure.

Interactive Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis
The Interactive Core Curriculum on Tuberculosis presents basic information about tuberculosis (TB) for clinicians. An update for clinicians is critical to today. Guidelines for patient management and public health practice have been revised and new methods of diagnosis have been introduced.

Self Study Modules on Tuberculosis
These modules are a series of educational modules designed to provide information about tuberculosis (TB) in a self-study format. This course is offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE). The Self-Study Modules on Tuberculosis series consists of a total of nine modules that are separated into two courses. The first course, Modules 1-5, provides basic information on TB. The second course, Modules 6-9, provides more specific TB programmatic information.

Tuberculosis 101
Intended for those who are new to TB control or have limited experience in TB, these four, 2-hour sessions include an introduction to TB transmission and pathogenesis, tuberculin skin testing, diagnosis and management of TB disease and latent TB infection, contact investigation, infection control, and interviewing skills.

TB Facts for Healthcare Workers
CDC booklet with overview of tuberculosis prevention, control and treatment.

Questions and Answers About TB, 2007
CDC answers frequently asked questions. Available to download for patients.

Country Guides from SNTC
Guides provide background information, epidemiology, common misperceptions and beliefs about TB and HIV/AIDS, general practices and cultural courtesies. Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, India, Mexico, Philippines, Somalia, Vietnam currently available.

CDC Promoting Cultural Sensitivity
Series of five guides to increase the knowledge and cultural sensitivity of tuberculosis program staff who provide services to foreign-born persons. Laos (Hmong), Somalia, Vietnam, Mexico, and China.

Ethnomed
Cultural profiles

University of Washington Medical Center
Culture Clues

TB Education and Training Network (TB ETN) Cultural Competency Resource Guide
This resource guide was developed by the Cultural Competency Subcommittee of TB ETN. The guide includes a list of organizations, readings, and assessment tools associated with cultural competence and health.

Cultural Competency Newsletter
This newsletter discusses cultural proficiency and provides an ongoing forum for learning and skill development for anyone working in TB control. The newsletter includes relevant cases, articles and resources for culturally competent healthcare with a TB focus. The newsletter is published two times per year.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Cultural Competence Resources for Health Care Providers
Assessment tools, culture guides and a thorough listing of resources across diseases and countries.

TB ETN Cultural Competency Workgroup
This workgroup coordinates training and education resources and activities to support members in ensuring cultural competence in TB programs.

SNTC Cultural Competency Resources
Click on Special Populations for a comprehensive listing of resources.