In the first week of class we discussed infection control.
You may recall our discussion included the spread of infection,
importance of hand washing, and isolation procedures. You may wish to
review appropriate chapters in your textbooks (Kacmarek, Stoller, & Heuer,
2013; White, 2013). In current news, there is a rare virus, Enterovirus
D68, traveling west and could affect Utah. As of September 12, 2014 the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports no confirmed cases in
Utah. On the map below, the dark green states are those with confirmed
cases of Enterovirus D68 (CDC, 2014).
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (2014, September 12).
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Click on the links below to learn more about the virus.
As you gather information, consider how it applies to the things
you have recently learned about the spread of infection. Perform your own
research and then contribute to the discussion below by considering some of the
following:
- What
infection control measures should be taken if Enterovirus 68 is confirmed
in patients in Utah hospitals? In class we discussed standard,
contact, droplet, and airborne precautions. Which of these would
apply here? Support your answer with additional resources.
- As
a clinician, what are your responsibilities? By what signs and
symptoms will you recognize the virus? Who is at greatest risk?
Support your answer with additional resources.
- Post PDFs of literature or links to other good sources of information on the subject. In your comments,
discuss why you feel it is important for you or your peers to know this
information.
Recommendations for teachers: Have the students
research and find information with regard to infection control procedures for
Ebola virus or other current infection control concerns.
References:
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (2014). Enterovirus D68. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/ev-d68.html
Kacmerek, R. M., Stoller, J.
K., & Heuer, A. J. (Eds.). (2013). Egan’s fundamentals of
respiratory care (10th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri:
Elsevier.
White, G. C. (2013). Basic clinical lab competencies for respiratory care: An integrated approach (5th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.
White, G. C. (2013). Basic clinical lab competencies for respiratory care: An integrated approach (5th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.
I had a conversation yesterday evening with a nurse who works at Primary Children's Medical Center. She mentioned she has been caring for patients, specifically asthmatics, who have the classic signs and symptoms of Enterovirus D68. She is of the opinion that these patients are positive for the virus. She told me her understanding is that the cases haven't been reported in Utah because the test to positively identify the virus is not being run on these patients. I thought that was interesting. I saw another report today that stated Enterovirus D68 has been identified in 16 states now. Utah still was not included. Again, an interesting report in light of what the nurse told me.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing things daily about Enterovirus 68. Here is a link to the latest one from the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/health/outbreak-of-a-respiratory-illness-escalates-among-children.html?_r=2&assetType=nyt_now
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