July 9, 2004

MGHers lend a helping hand

After the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) announced last week a possible exposure to Hepatitis A from an employee working at Quizno's Sub Shop in Boston, MGHers were ready to lend a helping hand to the hospital's community and neighbors.
After the announcement, the BPHC set up clinics June 29 and 30 for people who visited the sub shop in the weeks before and may have been exposed to the disease, which causes swelling of the liver. A group of nurses from the MGH Infection Control Unit, Emergency Department and the Center for Clinical and Professional Development for Patient Care Services volunteered their time and services to help the approximately 1,500 patients. Volunteers performed a variety of tasks including intake and health screenings, patient observations, immunizations and exit counseling.

"All in all, it was a great experience,"says Judy Tarselli, RN, of the MGH Infection Control Unit. "It is always a good feeling to help out a neighbor and your community when in need."

MGH volunteers at the Hepatitis A clinic.