Tuberculosis: Provider Resources

As of November 18, 2019, the NYC Health Code requires laboratories to report all test results for tuberculosis (TB) infection, including negative and indeterminate results, for all persons tested regardless of age. This change applies only to laboratories. For more information, view the NYC Health Code.

By law, medical, dental and osteopathic and other health care providers and infection control practitioners and administrators of hospital or other institutions providing care and treatment, are required to report all suspected or confirmed cases of TB within 24 hours of diagnosis or clinical suspicion.

Medical providers must report these patients even though microbiologists and pathologists are also required to report findings consistent with TB. Under certain circumstances, providers may need to submit an updated or corrected report.

• Reporting requirements for suspected and confirmed TB cases (PDF)
• Required Reporting of Latent TB Infection (LTBI) in Children Under Five (January 2017) (PDF)

Electronically (Preferred Method)
Providers must create a NYC.ID account (for help, call 212-766-4357) and submit an electronic Universal Reporting Form through PRISM.

Laboratories must report through NY State's Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).

A portion of the initial culture must be sent for DNA analysis to the NYC Public Health Laboratory (455 First Avenue, Room 236; New York, NY 10016) within 24 hours of observing growth of M. tuberculosis complex in a culture from any specimen.

Via Telephone

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
42-09 28th Street, CN #22
Long Island City, NY 11101

Via Fax

• Fax the completed Universal Reporting Form to (844) 713-0557/0558 (toll-free) within 24 hours of diagnosis.
• Mail a hard copy of the form to the Health Department at the address shown above within 48 hours.

Via Mail
Mail the completed Universal Reporting Form to the Health Department at the address shown above within 24 hours of diagnosis. To meet the 24-hour deadline, use an overnight courier.

• Testing requirements for school-aged children (PDF)
• Screening individuals with positive test for TB infection (PDF)

Submit the following forms to the Health Department for each patient being treated for active TB:

• TB Treatment Plan (PDF): must be mailed or faxed within one month of initiating treatment. Your patient's case manager will provide you with the form.
• Report of Patient Services (TB 65): must be submitted for every monthly visit. You may alternatively fax or mail the report: Report of Patient Services, Printable (PDF).

Refer a patient for Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) using the DOT Referral Form (PDF)

Report treatment for Latent TB Infection (LTBI) by submitting the Latent TB Infection Therapy Report (TB 78) (PDF) via mail or fax.

Guidance on Isoniazid/Rifapentine Regimen (3HP) for LTBI

The New York City Health Code mandates health care providers obtain approval from the Health Department at least 72 hours prior to discharging an infectious TB patient from the hospital. Weekend and holiday discharge arrangements should be made in advance.

To request hospital discharge approval:

• Submit a Hospital Discharge Approval Request online (preferred).
• Fax the Hospital Discharge Approval Request Form to (844) 713-0557/0558 (toll-free number).

Requests are processed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding federal and state holidays. Within 24 business hours, the Health Department will notify the provider of any additional information or actions required for discharge approval.

Use the Hospital Discharge Planning Checklist (PDF) and TB Isolation Flowchart Diagram (PDF) to help determine whether a patient is ready for discharge.