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May 2024

In-Person Seattle TB Training Opportunities in July


The Curry International Tuberculosis Center, Firland Northwest Tuberculosis Center, and Washington State Department of Health Tuberculosis Program are pleased to announce three upcoming in-person trainings. The deadline to apply is May 24, 2024.

TB Mini-Fellowship Applications Now Open


The Curry International Tuberculosis Center offers mini-fellowship trainings to TB professionals (MDs, nurses, program managers, and other health professionals) from the western region of the United States. Limited spots are available.

New Job Opportunity


Tuberculosis Case Manager | Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department

Application closes May 12, 2024.

Welcome New TB Program Staff!


Scott Hutton, TB Controller/Program Manager

Dr. Scott Hutton joins WA DOH after serving, since 2014, as the Epidemiology Section Manager in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) where, he was also the state TB program manager and epidemiologist. Scott oversaw all aspects of state-level communicable disease epidemiology for Idaho’s 70+ reportable diseases/conditions, and provided leadership to Idaho’s state-level disease investigation workforce and the Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Program. Scott is excited for his transition to WA DOH, has worked closely as a neighboring state-level epidemiologist with many DOH staff over the years, including those in the current WA DOH TB Program, and is working on relocating to Washington in the coming months. Prior to entering public health, Scott was a practicing EMT in the emergency department of a level II trauma facility in Idaho where he assisted with the direct care of patients suffering from a wide range of ailments. Scott received his MPH in epidemiology from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, and later he completed a PhD in public health epidemiology. Scott’s PhD research focused on latent TB infection treatment completion and predictors of noncompletion among visa holders in the rural setting and from that experience, Scott was able to advocate for the more widespread adoption of short course therapies to improve completion rates in Idaho. Outside of work, Scott enjoys traveling as much as possible, going out for food and drink, spending significant amounts of time outdoors, sharing memories with his family, and caring for his pack of dogs that includes 2 French Bulldogs (Piper and Pocket), an Australian Shepard (Amos), and an Australian Staghound (Clancy). 


Scott can be reached at Scott.Hutton@doh.wa.gov or by phone at 564-200-3178.

County Staff Q&A


Shannon FitzMaurice was featured on Island County’s Employee News! Read about her work as a Public Health Nurse, her career path and how she spends time outside the office here.

Moxifloxacin and the Health Care Authority's (HCA) Preferred Drug List


We having been working with WA-HCA to have Moxifloxacin changed to preferred on the Medicaid/Apple Health PDL (Preferred Drug List) as part of the new shorter course 4-month 4 drug therapy which includes rifapentine and moxifloxacin (RPT-MOX). HCA has agreed to this change, it should have gone into effect by May 1st.


But if you have trouble getting Moxifloxacin covered for your Medicaid/Apple Health TB patients, reach out to HCA using this email box: applehealthpharmacypolicy@hca.wa.gov and cc: TBServices@doh.wa.gov. Our program will work together with HCA to resolve the issue quickly. Remember: Whenever communicating with Health Care Authority (HCA) about a denial, state that a prescription or service was denied and include the patient's demographic info (such as name, DOB, Provider 1 #, Insurance Company (MCO) Name, and claim # if available). HCA will create a ticket with this information, and it will be assigned to HCA staff to work on it.


CDC 4-Month Treatment Guidelines

TB 101 - RIF-MOX TB Disease Treatment Regimen | TB | CDC

Change of TB Newsletter Distribution Email Next Month


Starting next month, we will transition to sending out the monthly TB Newsletter from waDOH@public.govdelivery.com in an effort to streamline communication and enhance service delivery. Please continue to direct your questions to tbservices@doh.wa.gov.

Information for Local Health Jurisdictions (LHJs)

HRSA 340B TB Annual

Recertification


This year's TB Entity recertification period will run May 6th - June 3rd.

  • For most LHJs, WA DOH TB Program may reach out for some information, but we will handle the recertification on your behalf.
  • For a few LHJs whose Authorizing Official is at the LHJ, we will be sending your staff information needed to complete the recertification accurately.


Please reach out to our program if you have any questions: TBServices@doh.wa.gov

Video DOT SureAdhere Updates


As of May 1st, the following user interface enhancements were made within the SureAdhere Client Management System.

  • Repositioned Icon-Driven Menu Bar: Relocated from the top of the dashboard to the left side of the screen
  • Repositioned Data Filters: The dashboard filter is shifted to the right side of the screen and collapsed by default
  • Updated Top Navigation: The “ + New Patient” and “ + New Staff” functions have been moved to the top right corner of the screen for improved accessibility.
  • Dynamic Layout: The web application (CMS) now adjusts its layout dynamically for different devices.


Additional details are located on the TB Partners SharePoint.

More Information About CDC's TB Care Finder Coming Soon


The goal of TB Care Finder is to assist in-bound US immigrants who have admissible tuberculosis classifications (e.g. B1, B2) to find the correct TB program or provider for the recommended follow-up evaluation at their destination location. Later this month, LHJ partners can expect to be contacted by the DOH TB Program on how they can get onboarded to the web portal.

Upcoming Events and Education Opportunities


Thursdays in May | Lunch and Learn Series

Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis hosts a virtual weekly TB "Lunch and Learn" series where participants can discuss real-life TB cases and TB-related challenges, facilitated by experts in the field of tuberculosis. Register here.


May 14, 2024 | Innovation in the Treatment of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis: The endTB Clinical Trial

In this Global Health Research and Innovations Speaker Series event, Dr. Carole Diane Mitnick, ScD, Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School will share key takeaways from collaborative work on the endTB clinical trial. Dr. Louise C. Ivers, MD, MPH, DTM&H, Faculty Director at the Harvard Global Health Institute, will moderate the conversation. Register here.


May 16, 2024 | TB in the Ebeye Island

Join the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) and the Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Alliance (TEA) for a webinar about TB in the Ebeye Island. This webinar will provide background information about the landscape of TB in Ebeye and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services’ (MOHHS) TB program. Additionally, speakers will discuss the MOHHS’ current TB program initiatives, challenges, and the need for greater TB support in the Pacific Islands. Register here.


Innovations in Tuberculosis (TB) Webinar Series

This Mayo Clinic Center for TB monthly webinar series offers healthcare professionals the latest insights in tuberculosis (TB).


June 5, 2024 | TB Basics and Patient-Centered Care

This Curry International TB Center training is an entry level session intended for nurses and other healthcare providers who are within their first year of providing TB case management services for active or latent tuberculosis. Register here.


June 20, 2024 | Mayo Clinic Center for Tuberculosis Civil Surgeon Webinar Series

This webinar series provides civil surgeons with knowledge and skills in the management of tuberculosis screening, testing, and treatment for individuals who are seeking admission into the United States. The June webinar focuses on TB Screening and Referral Process for Civil Surgeons. Register here.


September 17-19, 2024 | TB Education and Training Network (ETN) and TB Program Evaluation Network (PEN) Conference

This conference presents a unique opportunity for TB program staff to expand their understanding of TB education, training, and program evaluation in Atlanta, Georgia. More information here.


Washington's TB Project ECHO

On Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm PT, join our lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. For more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.


SEATRAC Seminar Series

SEATRAC hosts and promotes seminars, one Friday session per month from 12 - 1 PM, focused on TB basic and clinical sciences by local trainees', local and visiting faculty, and special guests.


2024 ECHO Colorado Newcomer Health Series

In partnership with ECHO Colorado, the Minnesota Center of Excellence hosts a monthly training on newcomer health on the last Tuesday of each month at 8:00 AM, PT. This series is designed to increase medical providers' knowledge of the resettlement and health issues of newcomers, including refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) populations. More information here.

Articles


NTCA Guidelines for Respiratory Isolation and Restrictions to Reduce Transmission of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Community Settings

Clinical Infectious Diseases | 4/2024 | doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae199

Take a survey related to this article! This survey is to garner information from programs about potential implementation of the guidelines to better understand the potential challenges that programs may face. Please take a few minutes to complete the on-line survey. 

Survey QR Code

Duration of Effective Tuberculosis Treatment, not Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Smear Status, as the Determinant for Deisolation in Community Settings

Clinical Infectious Diseases | 4/2024 | doi: 10.1093/cid/ciae198

Video Recordings and Education Opportunities


Healthcare for Humans Podcast


Medscape

Tuberculosis Testing and Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Practices Among Health Care Providers — United States, 2020–2022. 0.5 CME/CE available, expires 3/29/2025. Access here.


CITC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.


Rutgers TB Institute Webinar Archives

CE units are not available for these archives. Access here.


SNTC Archived Webinars

CME/CE units are not offered for these trainings. Access here.


SNTC Online Courses

CME units are offered for these trainings. Access here.


Mayo Clinic Center for TB Courses

CME/CE units are offered for these trainings. Access here.

  • Enter "Public Health" into Specialty to filter through TB courses.


Minnesota Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health Webinars & Recordings

CME/CE units are offered for these trainings. Access here.


CDC: TB 101 for Health Care Workers

CE units expire on 11/6/2025 and are available at no cost. Access here.


TB ECHO Recorded Archives

Missed a TB ECHO® session? TB ECHO® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO® here

Tools and Resources



Minnesota's Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health

  • Access helpful tools, trainings, and updates for newcomers and refugee health here.


CDC


DOH Refugee Health Program

  • Afghan Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources).
  • Ukrainian Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources to support new arrivals from Ukraine (scroll down for TB resources).


Southeastern National TB Center

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