Baseline screening for tuberculosis (TB) must be performed for whom?

The requirement for baseline screening for tuberculosis (TB) involves a comprehensive approach to ensuring the safety and health of everyone in a nursing care institution. This includes employees, volunteers, and residents because they are the primary individuals who interact closely within the facility.

Screening staff members and volunteers is crucial as they may inadvertently transmit TB to residents, particularly those who may already have compromised immune systems. Similarly, residents themselves are at higher risk due to their living conditions and potential age-related vulnerabilities.

By including all these groups in the screening process, the institution aims to create a safe environment and prevent the spread of TB. This comprehensive screening approach ensures vigilance against communicable diseases, which is essential in a healthcare setting, where the health of vulnerable populations is at stake.

In contrast, focusing solely on either residents or staff members would leave gaps in safeguarding practices, as interactions among all these groups are frequent and can lead to infections if not properly monitored. Additionally, visitors generally are not included in baseline screening requirements, as they do not have the same level of exposure or extended interaction as the other groups.