Response to COVID-19
The TB and Hansen’s Disease Branch has developed guidance on temporary measures to minimize exposure to COVID-19 for clients and staff. Please continue to frequent this section, as information may change periodically.
1. Tuberculosis Action Plan to Minimize Exposure to COVID-19 (PDF : 763 kB)
2. Additional Resources and Information on the Coronavirus:
Tuberculosis & COVID-19 Know the Difference
TB and COVID-19 have some similar symptoms. It is important to “Think TB” when symptoms and risk factors for TB are present.
Learn more about the symptoms, risks, and public health response to COVID and TB. (PDF: 577 kB)
The Standing Delegation Orders and Standing Medical Orders
Standing Delegation Orders and Standing Medical Orders for Tuberculosis Prevention and Care for FY 2021 are now available.
The Standing Delegation Orders (SDOs) and Standing Medical Orders (SMOs) are written instructions, orders and procedures prepared by the Department of State Health Services Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Branch to promote consistent evaluation and treatment practices for persons with suspected or confirmed TB disease and for latent TB infection.
The purpose of this document is to provide authority for specific acts of tuberculosis (TB) clinical services under authority of Rule Title 22, Texas Administrative Code §193.2, Standing Delegation Orders.
The intended audience for the SDOs and SMOs includes physicians, registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, and non-licensed staff working in local health departments with TB programs and in DSHS Public Health Regions.
The revised Standing Delegation Orders and Standing Medical Orders for Tuberculosis Prevention and Care are effective September 1, 2020.
TB Medication Availability Update
Between March - June 2020, the TB and Hansen’s Disease Branch responded to fluctuations in TB medication availability impacting local and regional health departments.
Current status
There are no drug shortages or limitations of TB medications from the DSHS Pharmacy Branch for local and regional health department TB program use. This includes but is not limited to: Rifapentine, Rifabutin, Levofloxacin, or Moxifloxacin.
Any changes to a drug treatment regimen is at the discretion of the treating physician and not based on medication availability.
Please contact the TB and Hansen’s Disease Branch for details:
elizabeth.foy@dshs.texas.gov
Updated Recommendations for Screening of Health Care Personnel TB
On May 17, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
updated recommendations for screening of health care personnel (HCP) for tuberculosis (TB) [CDC]. These recommendations may impact current screening practices in health care facilities that routinely provide TB testing annually to all HCP.
The DSHS Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Branch is currently reviewing these recommendations and will update the
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page when the review is final.
In the interim, health care facilities may opt to modify screening practices to fit the recent CDC recommendations, or continue their current screening practices. The DSHS TB Branch cannot approve or deny TB screening and testing policies developed by individual health care facilities, therefore it is recommended that facilities consult with their licensing or credentialing agency for any change in policy.
Enroll in Medicaid as a TB Medicaid Provider
The Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Branch encourages local health department TB programs to enroll in Medicaid as a TB Medicaid Provider.
Information on the enrollment process for first time enrollees can be found on the
Texas Medicaid and Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) website.
Clinics requesting reimbursement for TB services must also enroll as a TB Medicaid Provider. To enroll, the clinic must apply for a DSHS letter verifying their TB services, and may attach the letter to their Medicaid application. To apply for the letter, clinics may fill out the Medicaid Provider Application which may be downloaded from the
TB forms page.