Background: Tuberculosis transmission is a significant hazard in healthcare settings.
Methods: Risk factors suggested by CDC guidelines in 1994, which were adopted by the Italian Ministry of Health, were assessed in 29 centres via questionnaires in 2005.
Results: Few centers were equipped with negative pressure, respiratory isolation rooms. Half of the centres had high or ongoing risk.
Conclusions: The hazard is underestimated mostly because of a high number of initially undiagnosed TB patients.