Recommendations for the control of tuberculosis transmission in hospitals

Nosocomial transmission of tuberculosis (TB) is a current problem in Peru, on the one hand because of the risk for health personal and for inpatients to acquire the infection, and on the other because of the increasing frequency of resistant strains: MDR (multidrug resistant) TB, XDR (extensively drug resistant) TB. factors conditioning transmission of tuberculosis in hospitals are described, as well as recommended control measures, including: 1) administrative control, 2) environmental control, and 3) personal respiratory protection. furthermore, the importance of the Plans of Tuberculosis Infection Control in hospitals is stressed and experience in its implementation in 19 hospital centers in the country is addressed.