By the numbers: Latest on tuberclosis exposure at hospital

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has updated information related to the exposure of babies to a hospital worker at Providence Memorial Hospital who had an active case of tuberculosis (TB).

A total of 853 babies have been identified as potentially exposed. The following is
a breakdown based on their locations as reported by the hospital. We continue to
use mail, certified mail, telephone calls, and personal visits to make contact with
these parents and children.

Texas 764
New Mexico 59
Mexico 27
Arizona 1
Minnesota 1
Montana 1

A preliminary list of 706 babies was obtained from Providence Memorial Hospital
on September 18, 2014 for those who were considered exposed based on the day
and time of their birth in correlation with the schedule of the infected healthcare
worker. Following further record review, the list was increased and a second and
third list were submitted on September 22, 2014 which included those babies who
received phototherapy treatment. A fourth list to include those babies considered
to be “transitional” was received on September 26, 2014. (Please see breakdown
below)

First List 706
Second List (phototherapy) 45
Third List (phototherapy) 8 (originally 11 with 3 duplicates)
Fourth List (transitional) 94
Total 853

While we have five positive screening results for TB infection (4 of them may be
false positive due to BCG vaccination) we have no positive Active TB results.

“The El Paso Public Health Department is working closely with the Texas
Department of Health Services which is providing the screening and treatment
protocols for this investigation. As can sometimes be the case, physicians may not
be in total agreement with each other regarding patient treatment. The EPPHD will
be using Texas State recommendations and protocols which may be different than
those in Mexico, New Mexico or those of local physicians. Parents, of course, are
free to choose the provider of their choice for their children’s screening and
treatment,” said Robert Resendes, Public Health Director.

Appointments for testing at the Health Department are prioritized for infants who
were identified as exposed. If parents did not receive a letter or phone call, but
wish to have their child tested, they may contact their pediatrician, family
physician, Community Health Center, or visit an urgent care center at their own
expense.

The healthcare worker’s schedule remains posted online for those parents
who are concerned if their child was exposed.

Parents who receive a notification letter are reminded that they should contact the
Health Department as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. In order to
expedite the appointment process we ask that the following points be clarified:
There are three numbers that can be used: 2-1-1, (915) 771-1228, or 1-877-
541-7905

For 2-1-1, callers are asked to select their language (1 for English, 2 for
Spanish, 3 for any other language). They should then select option 1.
The appointment center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.

Background
September 23, 2014
El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has received a list
of approximately 45 more babies who have been exposed to TB at Providence
Memorial Hospital. The exposure was in a nursery unit via a healthcare worker who
was confirmed as an active TB case. As with any TB investigation the list of
exposures/possible exposures can fluctuate over time. These parents are receiving
the same certified mail and/or telephone notification as the 706 who were on the
original list. They are also being asked to call 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 in order to
have their child screened.
September 19, 2014
El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) has
determined that more than 700 patients and more than 40 employees were
exposed to a hospital employee with an active case of Tuberculosis (TB) in the
post-partum and newborn nursery area of Providence Memorial Hospital (PMH).
This exposure took place between September 2013 and August 2014. The DPH is
working closely with the staff of PMH and has carefully reviewed employment and
medical records to determine exactly which infants and employees were exposed.
The families of each patient are being contacted via telephone and certified letter
with proactive screening instructions.

Source: El Paso Department of Public Health