Protecting the health of the community
Century Health Systems contracts with individual MetroWest town Boards of Health to provide documentation and follow-up of any and all reportable diseases, as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH.)
The public health nurse who provides this consultation has more than 25 years of experience in community health nursing. In addition, she is a member of the Massachusetts Association of Public Health Nurses (MAPHN;) a Certificate from Rollins School of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Epidemiology; and attends six to eight MDPH conferences and workshops each year in order to keep abreast of the latest developments in public health nursing.
Each referral for infectious disease follow-up the nurse makes through the local Board of Health, includes:
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Reading demographic data and lab sheets;
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Reviewing state or CDC Fact Sheets for each diagnosis;
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Completing a comprehensive Confidential Case Report for each reportable condition;
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Communicating with MDPH staff, including the epidemiologist assigned to each case; and
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Communicating with physicians, hospital infection control nurses, and local Board of Health administrators.
The nurse's home visits for communicable disease follow-up, include:
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PPD/Mantoux skin testing of patient and close contacts/family, in the case of TB.
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Follow-up visits and telephone calls to:
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Review medication compliance, side effects and any recommended lab follow up
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Track TB clinic attendance at least monthly (for those with TB)
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Evaluate and teach regarding all medications being taken and any other treatment prescribed
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Assess individuals’ general health and compliance with follow-up care
Influenza Vaccination Clinics:
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Provided annually to area businesses, private industry, via contract
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Assist at Board of Health sponsored Flu Clinics, as part of the contracts with each town’s Board of Health
Health Education Programs:
