Providence Announces Tuberculosis Response Plan

Friday, December 14, 2007

This past week, Providence learned that one of our employees had developed active tuberculosis.  This was of an immediate concern to us as our primary obligation is to protect the patients we serve and our employees, volunteers, and physicians.

We are required by law to report communicable diseases to the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District and this done immediately.  We have taken effective and immediate steps to identify any patients who may have had even any minimal contact with this employee, as well as other employees who may have been exposed.

This morning, we mailed 782 letters to former patients where we believe the possibility exists that they may have been exposed to tuberculosis while in our care at Providence.  While this number may seem large, it represents less than 4% of the patients we see annually at Providence.  We have also opted to err on the side of caution by including everyone who may have had even minimal contact with this employee.

Providence is committed to assisting the Waco McLennan County Public Health District in every way possible to prevent the possible spread of this disease in our community. 

We believe it is important for the public to know that if TB disease is detected early and fully treated, people with the disease can quickly become non-infectious and eventually cured.  At Providence, it is our goal to provide access to high-quality diagnosis and patient-centered treatment. 

Each of our patients who have been identified will receive the letter we mailed this morning, and they will be evaluated and tested for tuberculosis by Providence at no charge.  The evaluation and testing times are from 9am until 3pm on the following dates:

            Monday, December 17

            Tuesday, December 18

            Wednesday, December 19

            Wednesday, December 26

            Wednesday, January 2

            Friday, January 4

If a former patient receives our letter and is physically unable to come to Providence for their free evaluation and TB Skin Test, Providence will provide the test and the reading in their home.  Former patients who receive our letter may schedule this with Providence by calling 254-751-4690.

Providence has already begun the evaluation and testing of employees of the health center who may have been exposed. 

If during these evaluations and tests, a chest x-ray is determined to be necessary, it will be provided at no cost by Providence and by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.

If any former patient receives a letter indicating that there is a possibility that they may have been exposed to tuberculosis, it is very important that they select one of these facilities to schedule their appointment for evaluation and testing by January 4, 2008.

Providence Healthcare Network and the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District are committed to protecting your health and the health of our community.