Dr LIM - 1996-10-15
Last week, I was concerned to read media reports about the number of health workers at Dandenong Hospital in Victoria who have contracted tuberculosis as a result of their work. Obviously, that causes a problem if the disease remains untreated and they continue to work, thus increasing the risk of spreading infection to patients. Can the minister assure the House that this is not the case in the Northern Territory? What is being done to ensure the safety of our health workers?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I can say proudly that the Northern Territory has the most active staff surveillance for tuberculosis in this country. All Territory Health Services staff who have direct contact with patients must be screened at the commencement of employment with a Mantoux test. Annual screening is recommended thereafter. Unfortunately, this type of screening prior to employment does not happen in Victoria where the outbreak has occurred. Staff in the Territory who show evidence of exposure to tuberculosis are given education, follow-up where needed and, if indicated, are offered antibiotics and further medication to prevent their developing active tuberculosis.
The Tuberculosis Unit, which is part of the disease control process in Territory Health Services, has a very efficient program for detection and treatment of active tuberculosis as well as for follow-up of contacts to minimise the spread of this infection. It is worth noting that respiratory isolation has been present in Royal Darwin Hospital for a long time. This has been updated with recent renovations in the hospital. There are also protocols for early diagnosis of tuberculosis in hospitals. These factors together continue to minimise the spread of infection
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from patients with active tuberculosis. In summary, given these preventive measures that are in place throughout Territory Health Services and in our hospitals, there is very little chance that what happened in Victoria would occur in the Northern Territory.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I can say proudly that the Northern Territory has the most active staff surveillance for tuberculosis in this country. All Territory Health Services staff who have direct contact with patients must be screened at the commencement of employment with a Mantoux test. Annual screening is recommended thereafter. Unfortunately, this type of screening prior to employment does not happen in Victoria where the outbreak has occurred. Staff in the Territory who show evidence of exposure to tuberculosis are given education, follow-up where needed and, if indicated, are offered antibiotics and further medication to prevent their developing active tuberculosis.
The Tuberculosis Unit, which is part of the disease control process in Territory Health Services, has a very efficient program for detection and treatment of active tuberculosis as well as for follow-up of contacts to minimise the spread of this infection. It is worth noting that respiratory isolation has been present in Royal Darwin Hospital for a long time. This has been updated with recent renovations in the hospital. There are also protocols for early diagnosis of tuberculosis in hospitals. These factors together continue to minimise the spread of infection
Page 1687
from patients with active tuberculosis. In summary, given these preventive measures that are in place throughout Territory Health Services and in our hospitals, there is very little chance that what happened in Victoria would occur in the Northern Territory.
Page 1688
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016