Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing Policy

Adopted by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma Aug. 16, 2007.

This Policy requires new faculty and staff who meet any of the criteria listed below to provide evidence of tuberculosis testing to OU Health Services within six months prior to beginning employment. Additionally, active employees who reside outside the United States continuously for more than eight weeks must also provide evidence of tuberculosis testing to OU Health Services before returning to employment on-campus.

Who Must Comply?

Those currently holding visas from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Green Card holders and naturalized citizens are not included in this criteria.
Persons who have resided outside the United States for more than eight weeks continuously prior to continuing on-campus employment.
Those with health/medical conditions that suppress the immune system.
Those with known exposure to someone with active tuberculosis disease.

If any of these apply to you, you will need to comply with the Tuberculosis Testing Requirement.

Tuberculosis Testing Requirement

To comply, you must do one of the following and all documents must be in English.

Provide a medical record from a physician, clinic, or hospital indicating that you have been tested for tuberculosis (TB) within six months prior to beginning employment.
Provide documentation of a negative chest x-ray within six months prior to beginning employment.
Receive a TB skin test at OU Health Services (cost is borne by employee).
Provide a medical record indicating successful treatment for TB disease.

Required Skin Test Procedure

The following procedure for the skin test must be used.

0.1 ml of Purified Protein Derivative, (Mantoux), solution intradernally to the inner forearm.
Results must be read within 48-72 hours of administration.
Documentation must include date given, date read, and results of induration in mm. Document zero if no reaction.

FAQs

1. How does the testing requirement for being "outside the U.S. for more than eight weeks continuously" apply to current employees?

We will not require continuing faculty or staff to meet the testing requirement for being “outside the U.S. for more than eight weeks continuously,” unless their return to campus is after the Aug. 16, 2007 effective date of the policy.

Examples for continuing faculty/staff

Professor A was residing outside the U.S. from June 1, 2007 through Sept. 17, 2007. When Professor A returned to campus on Sept. 18, 2007, he or she was subject to the policy.
Professor B traveled extensively, spending several months outside the U.S. between Jan. 1, 2007 and July 31, 2007. When Professor B returned to campus Aug. 1, 2007, he or she would not have been subject to the testing requirement since their return to work was before the Aug. 16, 2007 effective date of the policy.

2. If I need to obtain a TB skin test or chest x-ray at OU Health Services, what does it cost?

A TB skin test is $10. If a skin test is positive, it will be followed up with a chest x-ray. There is no charge for the chest x-ray. The cost of TB testing is the employee’s responsibility.

To schedule a TB test, please call the Charles B. Goddard Health Center at 405-325-4441.

3. Where do I send evidence of TB testing?

OU Health Services
Goddard Health Center
620 Elm Avenue
Norman, OK 73019

Documents

TUBERCULOSIS TESTING AND CERTIFICATION FORM (NORMAN CAMPUS)

Contact TB Testing Office

OU Health Services
620 Elm Avenue
Norman, OK 73019-2091
PH: (405) 325-6039
Email: immunization@ou.edu