Health Hazard Evaluation Report HETA 93-0751-2408, Providence Ambulatory HealthCare Foundation, Inc., Fox Point Health Care Center, Providence, Rhode Island

摘要

In response to a request from the Providence Ambulatory Health Care Foundation,an evaluation of the ventilation system at the Fox Point Health Care Center (SIC-8011), Providence, Rhode Island was conducted. The clinic served a population considered to have a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). Visual inspection of the ventilation system indicated that the fan coil units were rusty and dirty, and there were no filters to remove particulates. There were times when there was no airflow in the building provided by the ventilation systems. No ventilation system was noted in the laboratory. All new patients were screened for TB using a tuburculin skin test on their first visit. There was no TB testing program for workers. The author concludes that deficiencies in the ventilation systems of this facility could potentially increase the risk of TB transmission if TB patients are present. The author recommends that improvements be made in the ventilation system, and the TB control program.