Disaster Role Assignments

Standard infection controls are minimum standards used for any patient care to help prevent the spread of infection. These measures include proper hand washing, use of PPE, and sanitizing equipment and surfaces. Droplet infection controls are extra measures used to prevent the spread of microorganisms that are contagious airborne.  These measures include the use of facemasks for the patient as well as the healthcare professional and keeping the infected patient as far away from other patients as possible (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).

As a public health nurse, it would be me responsibility to ensure that the responders to the emergency are prepared for the situation. They will need the proper supplies such as enough PPE and facemasks, up to date information and developments on possibly more infections, as well as keeping an eye on the progress of those who are infected. To help prevent further spread of the pneumonic plague, it would be important to inform the community of what is going on at the campus as well as close down the campus until the situation is more under control. Those who are affected need to be treated and should not be allowed back in school until treatment is complete. Then, anyone who begins experiencing symptoms of fever, headache, chest pain, or shortness of breath need to seek medical attention right away as they may have contracted the illness and are therefore at risk to spread it to others (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Basic Infection Control and Prevention Plan for Outpatient Oncology Settings. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hai/settings/outpatient/basic-infection-control-prevention-plan-2011/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Plague symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/plague/symptoms/

Health Department Official

When a natural disaster hits a community, loss of municipal services and utilities is very likely but also very costly and dangerous. Hospitals rely on power to keep the lights well lit in treatment rooms, for refrigeration of medicines, and for proper ventilation to reduce the risk of airborne contaminations. As health department official, I would ensure that care facilities are prioritized to receive power first when it is available as well as proper installation of generators and other backup measures.