N.J. Admin. Code § 8:57-5.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 8:57-5.8 - Diagnostic evaluations

(a) The designated public health nurse case manager for the health jurisdiction of residence shall monitor and facilitate timely diagnostic evaluation of all patients with suspected or confirmed infectious or potentially infectious TB disease, identified contacts to these patients and Class B1 or B2 referrals, regardless of the type of health care provider.

(b) Where a health care provider, based on direct observation or other written clinical and/or laboratory findings, believes that a patient has suspected or confirmed infectious or potentially infectious TB disease, the health care provider shall schedule an appointment for a diagnostic evaluation in his or her office or by referral within five business days of such observation.

(c) The public health nurse case manager shall schedule a diagnostic evaluation in the public health clinic within 10 working days after notification of discharge of a New Jersey resident with suspected or confirmed infectious or potentially infectious TB disease from a hospital or correctional facility inside or outside New Jersey, if the patient will be managed by a public health TB clinic.

(d) The public health nurse case manager shall schedule any contact or Class B1 or B2 referral identified or located during an investigation for a diagnostic evaluation in the public health clinic within 20 working days after identification or notification by the Department's TB Program of his or her residence in the public health nurse case manager's health jurisdiction.

(e) A diagnostic evaluation for a person with suspected or confirmed infectious or potentially infectious TB shall consist of at least a physical examination including visual acuity testing, a chest x-ray, sputum collection or induction and laboratory testing.

1. The health care provider may utilize the Department's TB Standards of Care as a guideline for appropriate practice.

(f) A diagnostic evaluation of a contact or Class B1 or B2 referral shall consist of at least a Mantoux tuberculin skin test or an interferon gamma release assay, and a chest x-ray if the skin test is considered significant or the interferon gamma release assay is positive.

1. If active TB disease is suspected based on the results of the diagnostic evaluation, the health care provider shall complete the requirements at (e) above.

2. The health care provider may utilize the Department's TB Standards of Care as a guideline for appropriate practice.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:57-5.8

Repeal and New Rule, R.2009 d.107, effective 4/6/2009.
See: 40 N.J.R. 1962(a), 41 N.J.R. 1419(a).
Section was "Hearing process".

The adopted version of this section 56 N.J.R. 213(a), effective 1/3/2024 is not yet available