TB Elimination: Together We Can!
TB Elimination: Together We Can!
Additional Pages
Guidelines .: Order Form

Service Providers

TB Coordinator: Diane Freedman, RN PHN - 775-785-4787
Email: dfreedman@washoecounty.us

New TB Regimen

Tuberculosis is a Reportable Illness.

Please report tuberculosis (confirmed and suspected) to the Washoe County Health District, Communicable Disease Program. Phone: 775-328-2447 or Fax: 775-328-3764. Confidential case report - Communicable disease report (pdf)

How Can You Help Control TB?

  1. Identify test and treat. Actively identify and test your patients who are most likely to be infected with TB or who are at increased risk of developing TB if they are infected. Offer treatment to your patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and encourage them to complete the full regime.
    • Persons at risk for TB infection:
      • Contacts to TB case - especially children under 5 years
      • Foreign-born persons from endemic countries (China, India, Mexico, Phillipines, Vietnam)
      • Persons who have lived in endemic countries
    • Conditions that increase the risk of LTBI progressing to TB
      • HIV infection - the strongest known risk factor
      • Diabetes mellitus
      • Immune system disorders
      • Use of TNF - antagonists (infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab)
      • Recent TB infection - the greatest risk for progression to TB is in the first 2 years after infection
      • Recent immigration - persons from endemic countries who have been in the US for less than 5 years have a 4 times greater risk of developing TB than those who have been in the US more than 5 years
      • Persons who are 10% or more below ideal body weight
      • End stage renal disease
      • Silicosis
      • Gastrectomy/jejunoileal bypass
      • Organ transplant
  2. Use DOT. Directly Observed Therapy is the gold standard of care for treating persons with TB disease. DOT is the most effective strategy for ensuring completion of treatment, preventing multi-drug resistant TB and preventing severe complications.
  3. Ask for assistance. The TBPCP coordinator, TB Case Managers and PHNs welcome your questions and referrals. We are delighted to share our knowledge and resources and extend consultation from our board-certified pulmonary specialists.
  4. Provide education for patients & health care providers. Order free CDC materials in stock at the local TB clinic or order online directly from the CDC.

TBPCP Staff

TBPCP Coordinator: Diane Freedman, RN PHN - 775-785-4787

TB Case Managers:
Judy Medved-Gonzalez, RN PHN - 775-785-4789
Joyce Minter, RN PHN - 775-785-4789

PHN Liaisons:
Homeless: Sally Fry-Woyciehowsky, RN PHN - 775-785-4789
Immigration: Diane Freedman, RN PHN - 775-785-4787
Infection Control: Judy Medved-Gonzalez, RN PHN - 775-785-4789
WC Detention Facility: Joyce Minter, RN PHN - 775-785-4789
TB/HIV: Judy Medved-Gonzalez, RN PHN - 775-785-4789

TBPCP Guidelines:

The following policy and protocols are intended as guides for community providers.

TB Resources:

Epi-News Issues Featuring Tuberculosis