A low-resource tracking workflow improves documentation and localizes the latent tuberculosis infection care gap in college student health.

OBJECTIVE

To assess a low-resource tracking workflow for improved documentation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment status and describe identified follow-up gaps in a Student Health clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Students with confirmed LTBI before (2018-2023; n = 82) and after (2024-2025; n = 147) implementation.

METHODS

Retrospective before-after chart review. In 2024, the clinic added a tracking spreadsheet, nurse-initiated follow-up offering tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT), 1-month dispensing, and standardized documentation. Outcomes were summarized descriptively.

RESULTS

Among students prescribed TPT at Student Health, documented completion rose from 45.8 to 71.4% and known status from 58.3 to 89.3%; documented completion among students managed outside Student Health rose from 23.1 to 56.1%. Undocumented final status was essentially unchanged (35.4-34.0%), but 46/50 (92%) unresolved post-intervention cases had no response after two messages.

CONCLUSIONS

The workflow improved documentation among engaged students and identified nonresponse after TPT was offered as the main actionable gap.