What should residents be screened for within 72 hours of admission to a nursing home?

Residents should be screened for latent TB infection within 72 hours of admission to a nursing home because this practice is essential for infection control and the health of the resident population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recommend screening for tuberculosis (TB) as part of a comprehensive infection prevention strategy in nursing homes.

Latent TB infection screening is particularly critical because individuals with latent TB do not exhibit symptoms and are not contagious, but they are at risk of developing active TB, especially in places where there are vulnerable populations. Early detection allows for appropriate monitoring and treatment, which is important to prevent the potential spread of TB within the nursing home environment.

While viral infections, pneumonia, and influenza are also important health concerns in nursing homes, the specific focus on latent TB infection is grounded in the necessity of targeted screening within a specified timeframe to mitigate the risk of outbreaks in congregate living settings.