Leading a TB team working with hard-to-reach clients

I was pleased to be runner-up in the Respiratory Nurse of the Year category of the BJN Awards 2021. The following are some of the initiatives I have implemented during 2019/2020.

People who use hostels and homeless shelter are some of the hardest to reach client groups who are high risk of tuberculosis (TB) activation due to their lifestyle. Their health is not their main priority. The TB team, which consists of six trained nurses and one outreach worker, goes out to these areas, undertakes teaching sessions on TB signs and symptoms, offers testing for staff and patients, and a weekly dose of rifapentin, or a daily dose of rifinah. Medications are delivered to the hostel by the TB team and all patient reviews take place there to improve compliance.

A 40% positivity rate for latent TB was found in staff and 30% in clients. The screening has raised awareness of TB signs and symptoms, and ensured the TB team are well-known to this patient group, which enables trust to be built.