This test will help determine if an employee has been exposed to tuberculosis. After a small amount of tuberculin is injected underneath the first layer of skin, the patient must wait 48 to 72 hours. After time has passed, the site must be examined by a medical professional to determine if the patient is reactive to the serum. If the patient is reactive the best practice procedure is to have a chest x-ray.
TB skin testing should be performed annually on individuals who work in a healthcare environment and have close contact with patients. This test can be done as a precautionary measure or performed after someone has been exposed to active TB. TB skin tests may also be important to perform on someone coming in from a foreign country.