Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major public health concern within the United States. In 1993, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared TB a global emergency. An increase in the number of cases, coupled with fewer admissions to hospitals, and shorter lengths of stay have resulted in the majority of people with TB being managed in the home setting. The challenge for health care workers is to promptly identify and treat all cases of TB, identify and screen close contacts, and develop screening programs for high-risk individuals. Home health care providers are often the critical link in the successful management of this clientele.
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