Tuberculosis Case-Finding Survey in Penal and Correctional Institutions in Ohio

¹ Chief, Medical Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Wood, Wisconsin.

1) A photofluorographic survey conducted in two penal and two correctional institutions in Ohio revealed 237 cases of suspected tuberculosis among 7,123 inmates screened or an incidence of 3.3 per cent. Among 640 employees x-rayed there were 15 individuals with suspected disease or an incidence of 2.3 per cent.

2) Fifty-three and one-tenth per cent of suspected disease detected in inmates was in the minimal stage, while 26.7 per cent of suspected disease in employees was in this stage. Presumably advanced tuberculosis was noted in 35.5 per cent of suspected tuberculous inmates and 26.7 per cent of suspected tuberculous employees. Thirteen and two-tenths per cent of cases among employees were classified as reinfection, stage unknown and 6.3 per cent of cases among inmates were so classified.

3) Prison wards of the state have reason to expect and should receive good preventive and curative medical care. Employees of state penal and correctional institutions are entitled to a reasonably healthful working environment.

4) A program of tuberculosis control should be inaugurated in the penal and correctional institutions which shall include physical examination, chest x-ray films and tuberculin testing of all new admissions and new employees. Annual chest x-ray examination of the entire institutional personnel should be made a part of the medical service routine.

6) A central hospital facility should be constructed for the care and treatment of active cases of tuberculosis from the penal and correctional institutions. Observation pavilions for isolation and diagnostic follow-up of questionably active cases should be established in each institution.