Tuberculosis Program

TB in Rhode island

TB Program Services

Public Health Services

The TB Program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to:

• Promptly identify new TB cases (through surveillance activities) and refer them into treatment.
• Support TB cases in completing treatment (i.e. curing TB) with case management, directly observed therapy, and other patient services.
• Determine if TB cases are contagious, and if so, determine if anyone was exposed to TB (contact identification).
• Notify those potentially exposed to TB, evaluate them for exposure, and treat them if necessary.
• Count TB cases to determine the state’s TB disease rate.
• Provide TB consultation and education to the community as needed.

Clinical Services

The TB Program is funded by the state of Rhode Island for TB clinical care. This funding supports the RISE Clinic (the state’s TB specialty clinic) and the Hasbro TB Clinic (a pediatric clinic for the treatment of LTBI). Clinical services include:

• Health care provider visits for TB.
• Diagnostic testing (e.g. chest X-rays, bacteriology tests).
• Medications that kill TB bacteria.