Infection Control

Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Infection control seeks to develop a systematic and coordinated approach to reduce the risks of acquiring and transmitting infections and to improve the outcome among patients and health care personnel. This task is conducted by performing surveillance and calculating rates of hospital-acquired infections, investigating and controlling outbreaks or infection clusters, evaluating new and existing products, and performing analysis of data.

Procedures, plans and training are organized, developed and implemented in order to positively impact the quality and add value to the care and services provided at UTMC.

Infection control works with other departments to coordinate infection control processes with the related patient care support departments/services. Examples of related patient care support includes employee health services, central processing, environmental services, linen and laundry services, microbiology, nursing services and safety and health.

Infection Control is located in Room 2102 Dowling Hall.

Influenza Update - How Safe is the Vaccine?

The influenza vaccine is very safe and has been given since 1943. The most common side effects include soreness, redness, and/or swelling at the site of the injection. These reactions are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days and only occur in 15-20 percent of recipients. Less than 1 percent of recipients of either form of vaccine develop symptoms such as fever, chills and muscle aches for one to two days following the vaccination. These symptoms are more likely to occur in a person who has never been exposed to the influenza virus or vaccine. Experiencing these nonspecific side effects does not mean that you are getting influenza. Serious adverse reactions to either vaccine are very rare. Check the following website for more information: http://www.utoledo.edu/fluprep/.