OAR 333-019-0042: Other Disease Specific Provisions: Tuberculosis Screening in Correctional Facilities

(1) For purposes of this rule: (a) "Correctional facility" means a facility operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections or a local correctional facility as that is defined in ORS 169.005; and (b) “Symptoms of TB disease” means a cough longer than 3 weeks and/or coughing up blood in conjunction with fever, fatigue, night sweats or weight loss. (2) A correctional facility shall screen all inmates upon admission for symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) disease. This screening and any follow-up shall be documented. (3) Any inmate suspected of having TB disease or who has TB disease shall be isolated as appropriate and provided medical care and treatment that meets accepted standards of practice. (4) Inmates detained or confined for 15 consecutive days or more in a correctional facility shall be screened for the following TB risk factors: (a) HIV/AIDS; (b) Immigration within the past five years from a country that has a high incidence of TB, including but not limited to immigration from Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe and South Pacific regions; (c) Close contact to a person with infectious TB disease; (d) History of injection drug use; (e) History of homelessness; and (f) Taking immunosuppressive medication. (5) Inmates screened under section (4) of this rule who have TB risk factors and no documented history of prior positive screening tests for TB shall be screened with either a TB skin test or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). Inmates with a documented previously positive TB skin test or IGRA, or a new positive result upon testing, shall receive a chest X-ray. (6) Exceptions: (a) A correctional facility is not required to retest an inmate at each admission under section (5) of this rule if: (A) There is a documented record of a negative TB skin test or negative IGRA or normal chest X-ray within the past year; or (B) There is a documented record of adequate TB treatment or compliance with a currently prescribed TB treatment. (b) This exception does not apply if the inmate has symptoms of TB, evidence of new exposure to a person with infectious TB disease or a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. (7) Nothing in these rules prohibit any correctional facility from having more stringent TB screening requirements.