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 January 2025
*New* Best Practices for Clinical Management of Tuberculosis with Expanded Resistance A Field Guide
A useful new field guide for advice on care of expanded resistance from The BETTER (Building Experience Treating Tuberculosis with Expanded Resistance) Project, with support from USAID/SMART4TB.
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Changes to Bedaquiline Patient Assistance Programs
Beginning in October, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) made changes to their patient assistance program for Bedaquiline (BDQ), including the elimination of the co-pay assistance program. Once a co-pay card expires, it will not be renewed. J&J is currently in the process of updating their website and supporting materials for their BDQ patient assistance program.
Access the new J&J patient assistance application form here.
Our program will update the BPaL Guidance document as soon as new information is provided by J&J.
For additional information, please visit the NTCA website.
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TB Year-End Data Deadlines
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Today, January 10, 2025: Limited provisional variables due for all 2024 cases.
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February 2025: Second round of data closeout line lists sent out.
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March 7, 2025: Final deadline for 2024 data closeout.
- Case data must be as complete as possible for 2024 cases.
- Contact investigation records for 2024 cases must be entered into WDRS and updated to be as complete as possible.
- Class B screening data should be as complete as possible.
We will be sharing more about TB data deadlines at the RAINIER Suite Sprint Review (RSSR) meeting on February 19th, 2025. Register here.
This information and other resources are available on the TB Data Resources SharePoint page. Email tbservices@doh.wa.gov with any questions or concerns or to request access to the SharePoint.
SureAdhere End-of-Year Record Cleanup
For local jurisdictions using SureAdhere, the start of the new year is a great opportunity to review both patient and staff accounts.
For patients who have completed or otherwise stopped treatment, simply uncheck the "Account is active" box on the patient's Profile tab. This will remove the patient from your Dashboard. |
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For staff who are no longer at your jurisdiction, please email tbservices@doh.wa.gov to request deactivation of their account.
RAINIER Suite Sprint Review (RSSR) Registration Links Updated
Attention WDRS users! If you were previously registered for the RAINIER Suite Spring Review (formerly known as the WUG or RSUG), the registration process has changed. Attendees must register for each session individually; registration links can be found on the WDRS User Community SharePoint. Registration links for all 2025 sessions are available.
RSSR is a meeting where developers present and discuss WDRS updates being implemented in the next build cycle. We recommend WDRS TB users attend when possible, especially epidemiologist staff or heavy WDRS users.
CDC Isoniazid 300 mg Available
The State TB program has INH 300 mg available for LHJs. These former CDC medications can be used with any patient. However, due to the current shortage, we are requesting that they be prioritized for only treating TB patients with active disease. They come in 30-count bottles with a May 2026 expiration.
Remember: Public Health should be payer of last resort; use patient insurance whenever possible.
Please order using the Former CDC National Stockpile Medication Order Form
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Isoniazid 100 mg Shortage
The manufacturer of Isoniazid (INH) 100 mg, Teva, is discontinuing production of this dosage. It is currently unavailable to order through Cardinal. It appears the same is occurring with the 300 mg dose though Cardinal still has some on their shelves. At the time of this article's publication, Cardinal has identified a new manufacturer and both INH 100 mg and 300 mg will be available soon. We have not heard of the status for other suppliers like McKesson.
- DOH has a limited supply of INH 100 mg and a healthy supply of the 300 mg purchased using the 340B and the MMCAP discount programs. We will be reviewing each LHJ order requesting INH 100 mg that comes in until the new source is available.
- Please order the 100 mg only for current patients.
- When possible, order the INH 300 mg and split the pills.
- Consider using a local compounding pharmacy to convert the 300 mg to the liquid equivalent dosage your patient needs.
DOH has reported this issue to the National TB Coalition of America who has reached out to FDA and DTBE.
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Former CDC Rifampin 300 mg Available
As of September 15th, LHJs are encouraged to order Rifampin 300 mg that we received from the former CDC National Stockpile. Your LHJ can use this for patients with active disease or latent TB infection. Please order using the Former CDC National Stockpile Medication Order Form. Do not purchase additional Rifampin 300 mg or order using other DOH forms until this supply is exhausted.
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Remember to record in your medication tracking log that this supply is from the CDC and not purchased through the 340B or MMCAP discount programs. The pharmacy shipping sheet will also indicate the medication source. The expiration for this supply is 4/30/2025. If you have any questions, please reach out to tbservices@doh.wa.gov.
We Are TB/Somos TB Virtual Patient Support
Free virtual patient support groups offered through We Are TB/Somos TB are a great resource to share with your LHJ's TB patients. Patients can learn more about TB disease, meet people who have personally battled TB, and assist you in support your patient through the emotions and stress of treatment. Association with people who have endured similar issues, like isolation and medication symptoms, can help your patient feel more engaged and supported. High resolution flyers are available and were developed with We Are TB and the New Jersey Department of Health.
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January 13, 2025 | National TB Nurse Coalition (NTNC) Webinar: Harnessing AI for Enhanced TB Nursing Practice: Practical Applications & Potential Pitfalls
This webinar aims to empower nurses by demonstrating practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public health nursing practice, by enhancing their ability to deliver efficient and personalized patient care. Participants will gain insights into leveraging AI tools to optimize workflow and improve the decision-making process. Potential pitfalls will be addressed and how to avoid them. Register here.
Innovations in Tuberculosis (TB) Webinar Series
This Mayo Clinic Center for TB monthly webinar series offers healthcare professionals the latest insights in tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis Civil Surgeon Webinar Series
This Mayo Clinic Center for TB webinar series provides civil surgeons with knowledge and skills in the management of tuberculosis screening, testing, and treatment for individuals who are seeking admission into the United States.
March 28, 2025 | SEATRAC Conversation with John Green about TB
Join University Book Store and Seattle Tuberculosis Research Advancement Center to discuss John Green's new book Everything Is Tuberculosis. Registration is required. Join waitlist here.
Washington's TB Project ECHO
On Tuesdays 12:30-1:30 pm PT, join our lunch-time virtual discussion about real TB cases with your peers. This free interactive event is guided by a panel of local TB experts. Click here for more information about this local project and our partners who make this ongoing event possible.
SEATRAC Seminar Series
SEATRAC hosts and promotes seminars, one Friday session per month from 12 - 1 PM, focused on TB basic and clinical sciences by local trainees', local and visiting faculty, and special guests.
2024 ECHO Colorado Newcomer Health Series
In partnership with ECHO Colorado, the Minnesota Center of Excellence hosts a monthly training on newcomer health on the last Tuesday of each month at 8:00 AM, PT. This series is designed to increase medical providers' knowledge of the resettlement and health issues of newcomers, including refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) populations. More information here.
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Mayo Clinic Innovations in Tuberculosis (TB) Webinar Series
Access here.
CITC Archived Webinars
CME/CE units will not be offered for these trainings. Access here.
Rutgers TB Institute Webinar Archives
CE units are not available for these archives. Access here.
SNTC Archived Webinars
CME/CE units are not offered for these trainings. Access here.
SNTC Online Courses
CME units are offered for these trainings. Access here.
CDC: TB 101 for Health Care Workers
CE units expire on 11/6/2025 and are available at no cost. Access here.
TB ECHO Recorded Archives
Missed a TB ECHO® session? TB ECHO® has didactic presentations available for viewing on YouTube. Handouts related to the presentation are included where appropriate. Watch recorded TB ECHO®.
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Minnesota's Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health
- Access helpful tools, trainings, and updates for newcomers and refugee health here.
CDC
DOH Refugee Health Program
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Afghan Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources (scroll down for TB resources).
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Ukrainian Health Resources - Fact sheets, webinars, videos, and other health resources to support new arrivals from Ukraine (scroll down for TB resources).
Southeastern National TB Center
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