The Tulsa Health Department’s Tuberculosis (TB) program serves the community by utilizing patient education, primary prevention and TB treatment to help stop the spread of TB. Services provided at the TB clinic include TB skin/blood testing, chest X-rays, medication therapy, lab monitoring and patient education. The TB team consists of one physician, four nurses, two clerks, one DOT provider and one X-ray tech who ensure early detection, diagnosis, treatment and preventative education for optimal patient care within Tulsa’s general population as well as the highest risk populations. The TB program provides community-focused services that include TB screening for school/job requirements, shelter clearance for the homeless, follow-up TB care for immigrants and refugees and individuals involved in contact investigations.
The TB program contributed to THD’s mission to become the healthiest county in the country by providing education to the public concerning the importance of initiating and completing Latent TB therapy (LTBI). Mission goals for the TB program encompassed health care initiatives that promote continuity of care from the start to finish of TB therapy for both LTBI and active TB patients.
FY 2021 has been an unusual year for the TB program. Although COVID-19 has become a focus in public health, Tuberculosis prevention and early treatment is still an essential function of public health. TB does not discriminate, and services are provided equally to all Tulsa County residents in need of our services. Priority is given to those clients who have been exposed to TB, have signs and symptoms of TB or to those who have lived in a high transmission area for TB. Our staff provides a thorough examination, assessment, and evaluation to all clients. We provide Directly Observed Therapy to individuals prescribed TB medication for the prevention of infection. This service is provided in individual’s homes, in homeless shelters or for those experiencing homelessness. Our goal is the same for everyone, early diagnosis and treatment for cases and preventive therapy. We have staff bilingual in Burmese, Zomi and Spanish and utilize the intercultural center’s language program for interpretation services for languages that are not offered in the clinic.
The TB team is an extremely talented group dedicated to promoting health and quality of life by preventing and controlling tuberculosis (TB) with early diagnosis and treatment. This year, the program’s team was reduced by half. As positions have been slow to replace, the team has learned to work more closely together and assumed additional roles and responsibilities.
Our Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) provider confirmed that one of her elderly clients was living in a home with no type of air conditioner in the hottest part of the summer. This person has a history of several chronic health conditions including TB and diabetes.
The DOT provider contacted the Tulsa Weather Coalition for support and resources. The DOT provider assisted the client with the completion of the appropriate paperwork and documentation. Within a day of submitting the appropriate paperwork, the Tulsa Weather Coalition delivered and installed a working air condition unit to this client.
Because of this collaboration with other community resources, significant improvements in the patient’s overall health are being achieved.
The DOT provider in collaboration with the TB Nurse Case Manager, a THD Social Worker and other community health partners are continuing to work with this client for additional resources that are needed for ongoing care, assessment and evaluation of services. This team has been able to identify other health concerns and are making the appropriate community connections for additional care. This client is receiving much needed treatment and because of this collaboration with other community resources, significant improvements in the patient’s overall health are being achieved.
The client has expressed gratitude towards the Tulsa Health Department for the supportive home visits and focused continuity of care received to date.
By the Numbers
- over 2,273 unduplicated clients
- 252 latent TB infections
- 10 cases of TB confirmed