Case Study Death by Measles
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School
California State University, Stanislaus *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
4300
Subject
Health Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
3
Uploaded by ElderExploration12951
Delfina Rafiq
HSCI 4300
Case Study 4
Feb 14, 2024
1.
What are the facts of this case?
●
An elderly woman with multiple health issues attended a local health clinic.
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The woman was immunocompromised due to medications for chronic diseases.
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A child with measles symptoms was present in the clinic and interacted with the woman.
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The woman contracted measles and subsequently died from pneumonia caused by the
infection.
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This was the first measles-related death in the U.S. in 12 years.
2.
What would have been the potential impact on the woman if the child had the
following diseases: pertussis, polio, influenza, or Ebola?
●
Pertussis (whooping cough): Severe coughing fits could have caused respiratory distress
or pneumonia.
●
Polio: Paralytic polio could have led to muscle weakness or paralysis, compromising the
woman's overall health.
●
Influenza: Severe complications such as pneumonia could have arisen, further
endangering the woman's health.
●
Ebola: The woman's weakened immune system would have made her highly susceptible
to severe hemorrhagic fever and organ failure.
3.
What are the management implications of this case? Should there be separate
waiting rooms for people with an immunocompromised status?
●
Separate waiting rooms for immunocompromised individuals would reduce their risk of
exposure to infectious diseases.
●
Implementing infection control measures like mandatory mask usage, vaccination
requirements, and proper hygiene practices can reduce transmission risks.
4.
What are the legal and ethical obligations of the parent of the unvaccinated child?
●
The parent has a legal duty to protect the health and well-being of their child and others
by adhering to vaccination recommendations.
●
Ethically, the parent should consider the potential harm their unvaccinated child could
cause to vulnerable individuals and the broader community.
5.
What are the legal and ethical obligations the clinic has to its patients and how do
they apply to this case? Should the woman’s family seek legal remedies?
●
The clinic has a duty to provide a safe environment for all patients, including
immunocompromised individuals.
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The clinic should follow recommended infection control protocols and ensure staff
members are adequately trained.
●
The woman's family may seek legal remedies if it can be established that the clinic failed
to take appropriate measures to prevent infection.
6.
An RN who works at the clinic refuses to have an influenza vaccination. She does
not have allergies, nor does she have religious objections. She just “doesn’t believe
in them.” Create a script for a conversation with this employee, urging her to
reconsider, and detailing the con- sequences of her continued refusal.
Begin by acknowledging the employee's concerns and initiating a respectful dialogue.
●
Educate the employee about the importance of influenza vaccination in preventing illness
and reducing transmission.
●
Explain the potential consequences of the employee's refusal, such as increased risk to
vulnerable patients and the possibility of infecting others.
●
Provide evidence-based information, addressing any misconceptions or myths the
employee may have.
●
Emphasize the professional and ethical obligations of healthcare workers to protect
patients and maintain a safe healthcare environment.
●
Discuss potential disciplinary actions or alternative assignments if the employee
continues to refuse vaccination without a valid exemption.
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