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Tuberculosis Contact Investigation Checklist

Hard 15 items · 2 hours
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testuser Published 4 months ago
Health

This checklist helps community health workers run a clear, step-by-step contact investigation after a confirmed TB case, covering identification, screening, testing, referrals, and follow-up. Use it to prioritize high-risk contacts like young children and people with weakened immunity, and to support the index patient’s treatment adherence. Inspired by World Health Organization guidelines on Tuberculosis Contact Investigation. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Inspired by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional where applicable.

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  1. Confirm index case details — Record patient name, diagnosis date, test type (smear/Xpert), and treatment start date.
  2. Identify and list close contacts — Collect names, ages, relation, phone, home/work addresses, and exposure locations.
  3. List household members
  4. List regular co-workers or classmates
  5. List other prolonged contacts (caregivers, frequent visitors)
  6. Prioritize contacts by risk — Flag children <5, people with HIV, elderly, and immunosuppressed contacts first.
  7. Screen contacts for TB symptoms — Ask about cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and duration of symptoms.
  8. Refer symptomatic contacts for urgent clinical evaluation and chest X-ray — Arrange same-day or rapid clinic referral for anyone with TB symptoms.
  9. Arrange Mantoux (TST) or IGRA testing for eligible contacts — Choose test per local protocol and patient age/immune status; schedule result reading.
  10. Assess eligibility for TB preventive therapy and start when indicated — Evaluate test results, age, and risk factors; begin preventive therapy per guidelines.
  11. Refer children under 5 and people with HIV for immediate assessment — Fast-track clinical review and consider preventive therapy even if tests are negative.
  12. Counsel contacts on infection prevention and when to seek care — Explain cough hygiene, ventilation, and the symptoms that require urgent review.
  13. Schedule follow-up visits and set reminders for testing and results — Plan 8–12 week follow-up or per local protocol; track appointments and outcomes.
  14. Support index case with DOT and adherence counseling — Coordinate directly observed therapy, home visits, or phone support to ensure treatment completion.
  15. Document all steps, results, and communications in the patient record — Record contacts listed, screenings, test dates/results, referrals, and therapy starts.
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