To attain the goal of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
that laboratories report any positive results from
AFB specimens to clinicians within 24 hours (component
4), the use of enhanced microbiology laboratory
standard operation procedures (SOPs) is required.4
The fifth component can be improved by implementation
of a rapid and efficient notification system to
informHCWs about the presence of a patient with active
pulmonary TB, allowing subsequent prompt isolation
and appropriate treatment