Details
Question
- What is the clinical utility of chest x-rays for the assessment of illness in adults prior to being placed or having been placed in long-term care facilities?
- What are the evidence-based guidelines associated with assessments for illness in adults prior to being placed or having been placed in long-term care facilities?
Key Message
No evidence that evaluated the clinical utility of chest x-rays for the assessment of illness in adults prior to being placed or having been placed in long-term care facilities was identified. One evidence-based guideline from the Public Health Agency of Canada was identified that met the inclusion criteria for the report. It is recommended that adults over the age of 65 from certain higher risk groups receive chest x-rays prior to admission to long-term care to screen for active tuberculosis and that individuals aged 65 and under from those higher risk group be screened for latent tuberculosis infection with a two-step tuberculin skin test. However, the level of evidence and strength of recommendation was not included for these recommendations.