A comprehensive infection prevention to protect our patients

At Tufts Medical Center, we are dedicated to preventing the transmission of infections to patients, visitors and our staff. To meet this goal, we have created a comprehensive Infection Prevention Program, which encompasses all of our inpatient and outpatient locations. The Program allows us to address infection prevention from several different angles: It includes education for all of our staff, as well as for our patients, families and visitors. The Program also supports a microbial management team to ensure optimal antibiotic usage, which in turn can help reduce the risk of infections with drug-resistant bacteria and C. difficile.

Tufts Medical Center also monitors key practices aimed at preventing drug-resistant infections (such as MRSA), including good hand hygiene and adherence to Standard and Contact Precautions. We monitor the rates of infections associated with vascular catheters and urinary catheters, as well as ventilator-associated pneumonia. We have implemented evidence-based protocols to reduce the risk of these infections, as well as to reduce the risk of wound infections after surgery.

What patients can do

We recommend the following steps to help you prevent infections:

• Remind caregivers to wash their hands before examining or treating you. 
• Ask family members or friends not to visit you feel ill. 
• Ask your doctor if you should receive a flu or pneumonia vaccine. 
• Wash your hands carefully after handling any type of soiled material. This is especially important after you have used the bathroom. 
• Wash your hands before eating and/or touching your face.
• Tell a nurse promptly if any of your dressings become wet or loose. 
• Tell a nurse promptly if any of your catheters or tubes become loose or dislodged. 
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about breathing treatments and getting out of bed.

Patients and families are active members of our health care team

At Tufts Medical Center, we are firmly committed to our mission of keeping patients and their families at the center of everything we do. In fact, we believe that healthcare is most beneficial when it is delivered through a Patient–Family-Centered Care Model that views the patient and family as integral members of the care team. With this mind, we are proud to adhere to the core concepts of this model:

• Dignity and Respect. Tufts Medical Center’s practitioners listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. We incorporate your knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural background into the planning and delivery of your care.
• Information Sharing. We communicate and share complete and unbiased information with you in ways that are affirming and useful. You will receive timely, complete and accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.
• Participation. We encourage and support you or your family member to participate in care and decision-making at the level you choose.
• Collaboration. At Tufts Medical Center, we collaborate with patients and families in policy and program development, implementation, and evaluation; in healthcare facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.

What patients can do

At Tufts Medical Center, you have a variety of opportunities to be an active partner in your own or your family member’s care:

• Seek information about illnesses or conditions that affect you or your loved one.
• Make sure all nurses and doctors confirm yours or your family member’s identity by checking wristbands and requesting names before he or she administers any medication or treatment.
• Share yours or your family member’s health history and up-to-date information about his or her care with the care team.
• Make sure you understand the care and treatment you or your family member will be receiving. 
• Pay attention to the care your family member is receiving. Tell your nurse or doctor if something doesn’t seem quite right.
• Make a list of questions for yours or your family member’s providers so you’ll be less likely to forget.
• Make sure you get the results of any test or procedure you or your family member undergoes.
• Speak up if you have questions or concerns about yours or your family member’s care.

Opioids are a special class of medications used to treat certain kinds of pain. Some of the common examples of opioids are morphine, oxycodone, codeine, buprenorphine, methadone, and fentanyl. Opioids are strong and effective in treating pain, but they have serious side effects and can lead to addiction. Opioids are not right for everyone. There are several opioid alternatives to pain management that are effective and may be better for your needs. It is important to ask your healthcare provider about which medications are better suited for your pain. Both you and your prescriber should agree on a treatment plan based on your individual medical condition and healthcare needs.

Because we care about your wellbeing, we helped author new, statewide guidelines to prevent misuse of opioids among patients who are admitted to the hospital

The right medication at the right time

Tufts Medical Center is committed to improving medication safety and educating patients and their families / caregivers about safe medication practices.

We have introduced a new medication system that uses bar coding and computer technology in the pharmacy and at the patient's beside to help eliminate medication errors. When our pharmacists fill a medication order, the computer system checks the patient’s medical record for possible conflicts such as allergies or interactions with other medications. In hospital rooms, our nurses bring a mobile medication cart with a wireless laptop computer and an electronic scanner to the patient's bedside. If a potential error is detected, the computer immediately alerts the nurse, and the appropriate corrections are made.

Infusion pumps have been used in hospitals for more than 30 years to administer intravenous drugs and fluids. Since their introduction they have evolved into devices that can significantly reduce the risk of medication errors. We use sophisticated "smart pumps" to help intercept medication errors. These computer-assisted devices can prevent the delivery of a medication dose that is different from the dose ordered by the doctor.

What patients can do

• Make sure you know your medications, how to take them, and why you take them. 
• Keep an updated list of your medications in your wallet or purse.
• The list should include:
  • Name of the medication
  • Dose
  • How often you take it
  • Why you take it
  • Any vitamins and over-the-counter (OTC) products
  • Medication allergies
  • Name and telephone number of your pharmacy
• Review your medication list with physicians, nurses and pharmacists.
• Remind your health care provider to help you update your medication list when medications are started or stopped.  
• Ask your pharmacist any questions you have. The pharmacist will explain what your medication is for and check if it is safe to take medications together. 
• While you are in the hospital, do not take medications from home – not even an aspirin – unless you discuss this with your doctor.

Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Although flu activity can occur throughout  the year in the United States, its peak activity is October through May. Prevention is the best way to protect patients and staff from getting the flu. For this reason, Tufts Medical Center requires everyone who works or volunteers at the hospital to be vaccinated or wear a mask from November 1 through March 31. Based on public health reporting, the date range may be expanded.

At Tufts Medical Center, our highly skilled nurses work side-by-side with physicians and other experienced professionals to deliver exceptional patient care. As part of our commitment to excellence, we continuously review factors that affect the quality and safety of the care we provide to our patients. As required by The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we regularly report the Registered Nurse-to-Patient ratios within our Intensive Care Units and Neonatal Intensive Care Units.

A patient fall is a sudden, unintentional descent to the floor during a hospital stay. It is important for Tufts Medical Center staff to help patients avoid these falls in order to reduce the risk of serious injuries.

A “central line” or “central catheter” is a tube that’s placed into a patient’s large vein to draw blood, or give fluids or medications. A bloodstream infection can occur when germs travel down a “central line” and enter the blood. If you develop a catheter-associated bloodstream infection, you may have a fever and chills, or the skin around the catheter may become sore and red.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the urinary system, which includes the bladder (stores urine) and kidneys (filter the blood to make urine). If germs enter these areas, an infection can occur. If you have a urinary catheter, germs can travel along the catheter and cause an infection in your bladder or your kidney. This is called a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI).