Discussion: An Epidemic in the Community
Consider the following scenario: This is Debbie’s first year working as a nurse at the local health department in a rural county. Most of her days are spent in the clinic seeing clients who often do not have health insurance.
Over the past month, Debbie has noticed that several young Hispanic men have come to the health department, each diagnosed with tuberculosis. Debbie is concerned about what the outbreak of tuberculosis among the migrant workers could mean for the community. Through a community health profile, Debbie identifies the group of migrant farm workers as being at highest risk for contracting tuberculosis.
Using the Epidemiologic Triangle concept, consider the relationship among causal agents, susceptible persons, and environmental factors. Then, respond to the following:
- As a BSN-prepared community health nurse, what steps should Debbie take next?
- Considering economic and social considerations within the community, what are the primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions that Debbie might use in managing this outbreak?
- Can similar interventions be applied to your community and its TB prevalence?
- What considerations need to be addressed within your community that are different form Debbie’s community?
By Day 3
Post your response to this Discussion.
Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.
Notes Initial Post: This should be a 3-paragraph (at least 350 words) response. Be sure to use evidence from the readings and include in-text citations. Utilize essay-level writing practice and skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames. Avoid quotes; paraphrase to incorporate evidence into your own writing. A reference list is required. Use the most current evidence (usually ≤ 5 years old).
*** file attached of VHD TB report. I reside in Virginia
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases that cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. In the United States, TB is a major public health concern that affects various populations, including migrant workers. As a BSN-prepared community health nurse, the responsibility of managing and controlling TB outbreaks lies in understanding the epidemiological triangle model and developing primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions. This paper will respond to various questions regarding managing the outbreak of TB among migrant workers in a rural county.
Question 1: As a BSN-prepared community health nurse, what steps should Debbie take next?
The first step that Debbie should take is to contact the local health department and notify them of the outbreak. She should also quarantine the infected individuals to prevent the spread of the disease. Debbie should then proceed with contact tracing to identify other individuals who may have been exposed to the disease to eliminate the spread of TB. As an infection control measure, Debbie should educate the diagnosed individuals on TB infection control measures like wearing a mask, practicing good hygiene, and following the therapeutic regimen.
Question 2: Considering economic and social considerations within the community, what are the primary, secondary, and tertiary interventions that Debbie might use in managing this outbreak?
The primary interventions that Debbie can use to manage the TB outbreak include educating the community on the importance of TB screening and testing. Debbie can also initiate active case findings in the high-risk areas where migrant workers live and work. Secondary interventions include prophylactic treatment for individuals with latent TB infections to prevent the development of active TB. Tertiary interventions that Debbie can employ include providing therapy and follow-up care for individuals diagnosed with TB to enhance adherence and prevent the spread of the disease.
Question 3: Can similar interventions be applied to your community and its TB prevalence?
Yes, similar interventions can be applied to any community with a high prevalence of TB. Education and awareness creation among the community members, active case findings, prophylactic treatment, and enhanced case management can prevent and control TB spread in any community.
Question 4: What considerations need to be addressed within your community that is different from Debbie’s community?
Different communities have unique factors that can influence the spread and control of TB. In my community, it is vital to note the underlying health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, poverty, and mass migration. Thus, several factors require adequate considerations, including language barriers, cultural beliefs, access to testing and active case findings, and treatment adherence. The socio-economic status of the people and the existing public health infrastructure should also be considered in the development of TB control measures.
Reference
Virginia Department of Health (2019). Tuberculosis Activity in Virginia. Available online at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/58/2019/06/TB-Annual-Report-2018.pdf.
