South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-13 - Standards for Licensing Habilitation Centers for Persons with Intellectual Disability or Persons with Related Conditions
Sec2 61-13.1500 - INFECTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENT
Section 61-13.1500.1504 - Client Tuberculosis Screening (I)

1. Admission/Baseline two-step TST or a single BAMT: All clients within one (1) month prior to admission unless there is a documented TST or a BAMT result during the previous twelve (12) months. If a newly-admitted client has had a documented negative TST or a BAMT result within the previous twelve (12) months, a single TST (or the single BAMT) can be administered within one (1) month prior to admission to the facility to serve as the baseline.

2. Periodic TST or BAMT is not required.

3. Post-exposure TST or a BAMT for clients upon unprotected exposure to M. tuberculosis: Perform a contact investigation when unprotected exposure is identified. Administer one (1) TST or a BAMT as soon as possible to all clients who have had exposure to an infectious TB case or suspect. If the TST or the BAMT result is negative, administer another TST or a BAMT eight to ten (8 to 10) weeks after that exposure to M. tuberculosis ended.

1. Clients with a baseline positive or newly positive test result for M. tuberculosis infection (such as TST or BAMT) or documentation of treatment for latent TB infection (LTBI) or TB disease or signs or symptoms of tuberculosis, such as, cough, weight loss, night sweats, or fever, shall have a chest radiograph performed immediately to exclude TB disease (or evaluate an interpretable copy taken within the previous three (3) months). Routine repeat chest radiographs are not required unless symptoms or signs of TB disease develop or unless recommended by a physician. These clients will be evaluated for the need for treatment of TB disease or latent TB infection (LTBI) and will be encouraged to follow the recommendations made by a physician with TB expertise (such as the Department's TB Control program).

2. Clients with positive TST results (regardless of when that conversion was first documented) shall document that conversion, document a subsequent negative chest radiograph and receive a negative assessment for signs and symptoms of TB before they may be admitted, as appropriate.

3. Clients who are known or suspected to have TB disease shall be transferred from the facility if the facility does not have an Airborne Infection Isolation room (See Section 100.E), required to undergo evaluation by a physician, and permitted to return to the facility only with approval by the Department's TB Control program.