5.39 – Tuberculosis Screening & Testing
A. Purpose
Section 199.290 of the Missouri Revised Statutes requires that all institutions of higher education in Missouri implement a targeted tuberculosis (TB) testing program for all students and faculty upon matriculation. TB screening guidelines are provided by the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
B. Policy
All students and faculty are required to be screened for tuberculosis.
C. Procedures
All students who are enrolled in classes on any campus or education center who are at a higher risk for exposure to or infection with TB must undergo mandatory TB testing. The testing must be completed prior to registering for classes in the subsequent semester.
All faculty who are teaching seated classes on any campus or education center who are at a higher risk for exposure to or infection with TB must undergo mandatory TB testing. The testing must be completed prior to their first day of employment.
Students and faculty who are at a higher risk for exposure to or infection with TB include the following:
Persons in close contact with person known or suspected to have active TB disease;
Persons arriving from countries with an increased incidence of TB;
Persons who have visited areas with an increased incidence of TB;
Persons who participate in college trips to identified areas/countries with an increased incidence of TB will need to be tested upon their return to the United States;
Person who have resided or worked in high-risk congregate settings (e.g., correctional facilities, long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, etc.);
Persons who have worked as health-care workers serving clients who are at an increased risk for active TB;
Persons who have an increased incidence of TB including those who have abused drugs or alcohol;
Persons with medical conditions that weaken the immune system (e.g. HIV); and
Persons with symptoms of TB (e.g. fever, night sweats, cough, and weight loss).
TB screening to identify those students who are at a higher risk for exposure to or infection of TB shall take place by questionnaire prior to arrival on campus in conjunction with verification of pre-matriculation immunization requirements for students.
Similarly, TB screening to identify those faculty who are at a higher risk for exposure to or infection with TB shall complete a questionnaire prior to arrival on campus as part of the new hire onboarding process.
Students or faculty whose questionnaires indicate a higher risk for exposure to or infection with TB must submit to a TB test and submit a TB Clinical Assessment completed by a licensed medical doctor in the United States prior to beginning classes, on-campus activities or employment.
D. Definitions
Tuberculosis – Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs. It may spread to other organs.
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – The national public health institute of the United States.
World Health Organization – The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.
E. Authority
This policy and these procedures are maintained under the authority of the vice chancellor for student affairs and the college director of human resources.
F. Related Policies
4.02(m) –Communicable Diseases
G. Implementation
Policy approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees on 11/09/2015; revised 11/11/2019.
Purpose, Procedures, Definitions, Authority and Related Policies approved and adopted by the Chancellor’s Cabinet on 10/06/2015; revised 10/01/2019.
Set for review in fiscal year 2022-2023.