STATEMENTS OF POLICY
Title 55—PUBLIC WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
[ 55 PA. CODE CHS. 3270, 3280 AND 3290 ]
Tuberculosis Blood Test
[42 Pa.B. 675]
[Saturday, February 4, 2012]Scope
This statement of policy applies to child day care centers, group child day care homes and family child day care homes.
Purpose
The purpose of this statement of policy is to clarify the Department of Public Welfare's (Department) regulations for child care facilities relating to tuberculosis (TB) testing for facility persons under §§ 3270.151(c)(2), 3280.151(c)(2) and 3290.151(c)(2) (relating to health assessment) to include the interferongamma release assay (IGRA) blood test as acceptable to meet the regulatory requirements.
Discussion
The child care facility regulations in §§ 3270.151(a), 3280.151(a) and 3290.151(a) require that a facility person providing direct care to children or who works with food preparation shall obtain a health assessment within 12 months prior to providing initial service in a child care setting and every 24 months thereafter. The health assessment must include TB screening using the Man-toux method at initial employment. See §§ 3270.151(c)(2), 3280.151(c)(2) and 3290.151(c)(2).
Based on the recommendations of the Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Department will accept an IGRA blood test instead of the Mantoux skin test to meet the requirement for TB testing. The IGRA blood test may be administered instead of the traditional Mantoux skin test specified in the regulations. The record of a person with a positive tuberculin skin test or blood test shall include the results of a chest X-ray and evaluation for chemoprophylaxis as required under the regulations. See §§ 3270.151(c)(2), 3280.151(c)(2) and 3290.151(c)(2).
Regulation Guidelines
The statements of policy are in Annex A.
Effective Date
This statement of policy is effective immediately upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Contact Person
Comments and questions regarding this statement of policy should be directed to Amanda Dorris, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Division of Regulatory Administration, Bureau of Certification Services, 333 Market Street, 6th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17126, (717) 346-1116.
GARY D. ALEXANDER,
Secretary(Editor's Note: Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code is amended by adding statements of policy in §§ 3270.151a, 3280.151a and 3290.151a to read as set forth in Annex A.)
Fiscal Note: 14-BUL-97. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.
Annex A
TITLE 55. PUBLIC WELFARE
PART V. CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES MANUAL
Subpart D. NONRESIDENTIAL AGENCIES, FACILITIES AND SERVICES
ARTICLE I. LICENSING/APPROVAL
CHAPTER 3270. CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS
ADULT HEALTH § 3270.151a. Tuberculosis testing—statement of policy.
The Department will accept an interferongamma release assay blood test instead of the Mantoux skin test for an adult health assessment.
CHAPTER 3280. GROUP CHILD DAY CARE HOMES
ADULT HEALTH § 3280.151a. Tuberculosis testing—statement of policy.
The Department will accept an interferongamma release assay blood test instead of the Mantoux skin test for an adult health assessment.
CHAPTER 3290. FAMILY CHILD DAY CARE HOMES
ADULT HEALTH § 3290.151a. Tuberculosis testing—statement of policy.
The Department will accept an interferongamma release assay blood test instead of the Mantoux skin test for an adult health assessment.
[Pa.B. Doc. No. 12-190. Filed for public inspection February 3, 2012, 9:00 a.m.]
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