YNHH Criteria for the Discontinuation of Airborne Precautions for Suspected or Confirmed Pulmonary Tuberculosis MDR-TB NOT SUSPECTED
AFB smear negative	MTB not suspected	3 negative AFB sputum smears obtained on different days are negative      OR 1 bronchoscopic AFB smear is negative      AND A note is written by one of the pt.'s responsible MDs approving of the discontinuance.
AFB smear positive AFB culture positive or pending	MTB suspected	If the sputum cx is + for MTB or the MTB direct probe is +, then the following criteria must be met: 1. Pt. must be clinically improving. 2. AFB smears are improving (e.g. 4+ to 1+). 3. Drugs chosen for tx are appropriate (MDR-TB not suspected). 4. Pt. is able to consistently take and retain medications. 5. At least 2 weeks of appropriate tx have been completed.
	MTB not susupected	If the AFB smear is + and the cx is reported as AFB positive, then the following criteria apply: 1. MTB probe of the cx is negative. or 2. Another method excludes MTB in the AFB cx and 3. A signed physician's note indicates the above and other evidence which excludes the pt. 4. from a high risk for MTB
AFB smear negative AFB culture positive or pending	MTB suspected	If the AFB smears are negative, but the AFB cx is + or the MTB probe is +, the following criteria apply: 1. Pt. must be clinically improving. 2. Drugs chosen for tx are appropriate (MDR-TB not suspected). 3. Pt. is able to consistently take and retain medications. 4. 1 week of appropriate tx has been completed.

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Last modified: March 2, 2001.



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