Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Protocol
In compliance with the Hawai’i State Department of Health Administrative Rules regarding immunizations and tuberculosis, the BYU - Hawai’i Health Center requires every student to have TB clearance. Click here for more information about tuberculosis.
Our screening protocol is detailed below.
New Students
All new students are required to receive a tuberculosis skin test (PPD) at the Health Center when they arrive on campus. There is no charge for the first test. There are a few exceptions regarding TB skin testing which are explained at the bottom of this section*.
After receiving a PPD, students must return to the Health Center in 48-72 hours to have their PPD reaction checked by a nurse. Failure to return for your PPD reading will invalidate the test, and the PPD test will need to be repeated at a cost of $20.
- PPD Reaction:
- 0-9 mm induration - negative exposure to TB
- Chest x-ray results:
- x-ray report is negative for TB activity - student is strongly encouraged to take prophylactic medicine from the Lanakila Health Center, but it is not required by the State Health Department or the University. Students who plan on going on a mission are strongly encouraged by the Church Missionary Department to take the preventive medication before submitting their mission application.
- x-ray report - questionable - follow the Lanakila Health Center TB Branch's instructions regarding isolation and further work up.
*Exception 1: A student has a negative PPD (must provide millimeter reading) documented by a U.S. licensed physician or advanced practice nurse within 12 months of the beginning of school. For more details on this exception, see below: ACCEPTABLE TB DOCUMENTATION
*Exception 2: Students who arrive on campus having received an MMR vaccine within the last 30 days will be required to have a chest x-ray because the MMR vaccine may cause depressed or suppressed reactivity to a PPD for as long as 4 weeks. The chest x-ray will provide temporary TB clearance, and students will required to return to the Health Center 4 weeks from the time of their MMR administration for a PPD skin test.
*Exception 3: Students who bring in documentation of a positive PPD skin test (must provide millimeter reading) done within the United states will be referred for a chest x-ray.
Former Students
All former students must report to the Health Center. Former students will either receive a repeat TB skin test or be asked specific questions by a nurse about TB symptoms if you have a history of a positive TB skin test. Some students may be asked to get a repeat chest x-ray.
Continuing Students
Continuing students DO NOT need a repeat TB skin test or chest x-ray.
Employee TB Screening Protocol
- All new employees of an educational institution must have a TB test or show evidence of TB clearance dated within a year of hire.
- Current employees with negative PPD must have their PPD repeated every 4 years (BYU - Hawai’i policy).
- Current employees with a positive PPD and chest x-ray clearance DO NOT need repeat chest x-ray per Lanakila**.
**At our discretion, we may refer employees for a repeat chest x-ray if they have had symptoms of TB since their last chest x-ray.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Acceptable TB Documentation
Per the Hawaii State Department of Health Tuberculosis Branch policies, acceptable TB documentation MUST meet all of the following criteria.
- All documentation must include the signature or stamp of a U.S. licensed MD, DO, PA, Advanced Practice Nurse, or clinic.
- Documentation must be provided on a physician's prescription form or official letterhead which includes the full address of the provider.
- The TB test must have been administered less than a year from the date of the first day of classes.
- The type of TB test given must be indicated (MUST be "PPD Mantoux" to be accepted).
- The dates the PPD was administered AND read must be indicated.
- The transverse diameter of induration in millimeters must be indicated. TB reactions written as "Negative" or "Positive" will not be accepted.
