Errors in isolation of patients with infectious tuberculosis at a public teaching hospital in New York.

Background: Studies report variability in the rates and causes of isolation errors among in-patients with active tuberculosis (TB). We reviewed our experience with delays or premature discontinuation of airborne infection isolation (AII).

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted to the Bellevue Hospital Center, New York City Health & Hospitals, New York, NY, USA, between January 2006 and July 2012 with a positive respiratory culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were reviewed.