Preparing for an Investigation, Lab Report Example

Question 1- Reason for public health intervention and role

Public health has been defined as the science and art of preventing disease (Winslow, 1920).  Pertaining to the case scenario offered within this context of EACT Gastro Intestinal infection outbreak, even though the dyfunction has already occurred public health in its role to prevent disease must intervene in controlling the spread by instituting prophylactic measures.  Specifically, the role of public health intervention is to improve health and quality of life (Cutler & Grant, 2005)

Question 2- What to ask Nurse Jean

Obvious public health questions to ask the nurse would pertain towards how is the residents’ food prepared. This is done to determine whether food preparation is within the specified public health guidelines. Where is raw food stored? How long were they stored before preparation? Where do residents eat?

What is the expiration date of canned vegetables used in the diet? Are there any sewage problems in the facility?  Are there any damaged pipe lines? How often does this happen? Is there a linkage with the GI infection and any event taking place in the facility? In addition when was the last public health inspection conducted? Were there any concerns?

Question 3- What is the definition of an epidemic

A disease occurrence is classified an epidemic when cases reported are up and above the normal expected rate within the given population. Epidemiologists consider the terminology outbreak to reflect or carry the same epidemic conotation (Green et.al, 2002).

Question 4 – Actions taken to determine the presence of an outbreak

To classify a disease occurrence an outbreak epidemiologists must take certain actions. These are to connect baseline rate of the incidence with supporting data from previous alleged outbreaks. Therefore, lab reports must be researched to determine the causative organism; whether it is the same or any mutations have occurred. More importantly, it is to identify an organism and make inferences to previous alleged outbreaks. The rate, route and extent of activity within the human body must be analyzed.

Data pertaining to how many people are infected; hospitalized, recovered and died will also have to be collected and analyzed. Even though public health received reports from EACT it would be wise to take a survey of the area in identifying other cases. If other cases are found it could then be concluded that there is an outbreak within the community and not isolated to EACT. It is verifying data that has already been collected since conditions might have changed from the last available analysis.

Question 5 – Hypothesis

Gastro intestinal infection among clients occurring at EACT facility could possibly be related tofood preparation violations, which were cited by public health authorities, but was not adequately addressed by the facility administration.

Question 6 – Declaration to continue the investigation

As of November, 3^rd, 2012 even though 31 cases were discovered within 24 hours, initially there were no new cases. Besides, no laboratory diagnosis was given; no kitchen staff was infected; recent public health reports listed violations; 4 residents were sent to the emergency and there have been previous incidences of gastro intestinal infection at EACT.

When the foregoing conditions are analyzed in my opinion this investigation should continue. From an epidemiological perspective the present situation does not meet all the criteria to be classified an outbreak. However, the potential of an outbreak exists when violations have been cited and only residents are infected people in the community. Investigations related to GI infections at EACT should continue and not investigations into GI infections within the community.

References

Cuter, D., & Grant, M. (2005). The Role of Public Health Improvements in Health Advances: The Twentieth Century United States. Demography. 42 (1), 1–22

Green, S. Swartz, T. Mayshar, E. Lev, B. Leventhal, A. Slater, E., & Shemer J ( 2002). When is an epidemic an epidemic? Isr. Med. Assoc. J. 4 (1): 3–6

Winslow, C. (1920 ). The Untiltled Fields of Public Health. Science51(1306), 23–33.