Who We Are
Specialized TB Doctors
We treat patients with tuberculosis disease who are unable to be treated in the community for a multitude of reasons including drug-resistant disease, drug side effects, concerns of drug and alcohol abuse liver disease, and more. We provide patient-centered care using evidence-based medicine. The hospital stay can vary from a few days to up to two years or more depending on the reason for admission.
24/7 Patient Care Nurses
TCID is among the nation’s most prestigious and unique hospitals that specialize in Infectious Disease care. TCID 24/7 care includes qualified and dedicated nursing and respiratory professionals that serve and support multiple health regions in the State of Texas for patients with Tuberculosis in the inpatient setting and Hansen’s Disease for the outpatient setting.
The nursing department consists of nursing service, nursing education, and inpatient/outpatient respiratory therapy. The primary purpose is to provide comprehensive, safe, effective, and well-organized nursing and respiratory care through department personnel:
Chief Nurse Executive is a key member of the TCID Leadership Team who will integrate and coordinate a patient-centric nursing strategy with a keen focus on patient care; ensuring that delivery of high-quality and cost-effective health care is consistent with the mission, vision, and values of TCID and in accordance with government regulation, licensing, and accreditation requirements. Acts as a liaison between TCID and external customers and fulfills contract requirements. Actively participates in the hospital's strategic planning and contributes to the achievement of institutional goals and objectives with focus on five key areas: People, Service, Quality, Growth, and Finance
Director of Nursing Inpatient Services Program Director is responsible for the ongoing coordination of care and development of treatment programs for adults with co-occurring and co-morbid disorders in the inpatient setting. Functions are to supervise staff in the inpatient hospital setting, provide and oversee quality client care, manage crisis, function as a program lead, coordinate and ensure clinical excellence in programming, Responsible for contributing to and creating a recovery-based environment.
Director of Nursing Outpatient/Infection Control Program Director is responsible for the ongoing coordination of care and development of treatment programs for adults with co-occurring and co-morbid disorders in the outpatient setting. Functions are to supervise staff in the outpatient hospital setting, provide and oversee quality client care, manage crisis, function as a program lead, and coordinate and ensure clinical excellence in programming. Infection Control Coordination conducting regular rounds in hospital departments for discussing, monitoring, and following the practices of infection control with staff, collecting data on infections from hospital departments and maintaining records for every case, and conducting training sessions to ensure constant implementation of infection control practices.
Director of Case Management is responsible for the facilitation and coordination of hospital activities related to concurrent review, including length of stay certifications, monitoring and response to issues and trends affecting reimbursement; monitoring and data collection for physician utilization, quality and utilization review; the facilitation and prioritization of patient discharge planning needs, including equipment and supportive services, alternate care facility placement, resource analysis and planning. Liaison between TCID inpatient admissions and Health Regions for the State of Texas.
Director of Education is responsible for orientating all new hires to the organization. Uplifting the standard of nursing by in-service education and refresher courses when needed. Monitors staff credentialing.
Director of Respiratory Therapy is responsible for overseeing the respiratory care department and ensures that high quality respiratory care, as ordered by the physician, is performed according to the standards and practices of Respiratory Care in a manner consistent with the mission and goals of the organization. Conducts vision and hearing screenings, electrocardiograms, and pulmonary function tests for inpatient and outpatient services.
Behavioral Health Team
At TCID, the behavioral health department works together with a diverse group of treatment team members to provide a safe therapeutic milieu where patients are treated with dignity and respect on a daily basis as they recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually from Tuberculosis. As a department, we want to instill hope daily and meet our patients where they are, but not leave them there as it pertains to quality of life.
All patients at TCID are offered the following integrated behavioral health services:
Psychological screening is an assessment used by our clinical psychologist to identify, evaluate, and provide follow-up recommendations in response to any mental health needs that may interfere with TB treatment if left unaddressed. This clinician is also available to provide more in-depth neuropsychological assessments, individual psychotherapy and behavioral treatment consultations as needed.
Social work assessment is our discharge planning baseline which is used to assess a patient’s support system, strengths, and insecurities as it applies to the social determinants of health. Our social workers serve as advocates for our patients within the community to connect them to community resources, navigating the process of obtaining identification, submitting applications for medical benefits, and other services that meet the patient’s individual needs as they move forward in the discharge planning process.
Substance abuse assessment is a therapeutic tool used by our substance abuse counselor to identify, evaluate, and provide follow up recommendations in response to any substance abuse history or active withdrawal symptom concerns that may interfere with TB treatment if left unaddressed.
Chaplaincy assessment documents the personal spiritual preferences of each patient, which the chaplain will use to address spiritual needs through ongoing support offered in an all-inclusive culturally sensitive approach. Traditional and Non-Traditional group services, as well as individual counseling and community/ecumenical activities are offered to all patients seeking spiritual support services.
Recreational assessment outlines the learning style and leisure preferences of each patient that will go into planning therapeutic activities, which provide patients with diversional activities that enhance their overall level of functioning, as well as teach them new skills that will improve their quality of life and sense of well-being. Some of the recreational activities offered include: water aerobics, nature hikes, movies, bingo, yoga, meditation, arts & crafts and animal-assisted therapy.
In addition to the above:
Music therapy is a contracted service offered twice a week where patients can participate in a therapeutic activity that celebrates a fondness of music with a licensed music therapist.
Psychiatric consultation is available to patients who have been identified by their physician and/or mental health staff as potentially benefiting from a combination of pharmaceutical interventions and mental health counseling.
Patient Activities is an additional service offered to our patients to connect them with part-time work while in treatment through the Patient Work Program as well as other services provided that include store trips, mail services, tax preparation, community-based service follow up visits, and more.
Nutrition Services
Inpatient Nutrition Care Services and Nutrition Care Process
Nutrition Screening
The CNS department collaborates with the TCID Physicians & Nursing department to screen patients for nutrition risk within 24 hours of patient admission.
Nutrition Assessment
All patients are assessed by a Registered Dietitian to identify specific nutrition diagnoses with a patient-centered (individualized) nutrition intervention plan.
Nutrition Intervention
The dietitian in collaboration with the patient develops a specific plan of action to remedy the nutrition diagnosis and works with the healthcare team to establish mutually agreed upon interventions and goals. Interventions include:
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Coordination of care and provision of specific recommendations regarding food and nutrition
- Nutrition therapeutic supplements
- Diet plans and guidelines
- IDDSI food texture modifications
- Enteral and parenteral nutrition support
Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation
The CNS department collaborates to monitor and quantify the progress made by patients in meeting nutrition care goals and determine continued nutrition interventions. The dietitian monitors outcomes by selecting appropriate indicators and revises interventions and goals as needed. The CNS department works alongside the interdisciplinary team to assess patient progress and continued treatment goals.