Managing an outbreak (influenza)
Developing a data-driven plan to improve patient outcomes from a transmissible disease outbreak scenario in a typical health care facility.
Instructions
To complete this assignment, remember to reference the resources you found in your Week 6 activity. In addition, you may also use the Internet and Strayer databases as well as refer to your readings in the textbooks.
Write a 5–6 page paper in which you do the following:
Evaluate three possible epidemiological approaches you might utilize to manage the chosen outbreak.
For each of these epidemiological approaches list:
Two similarities and two differences.
Recommend at least six steps in a plan that may be presented to an audience of interest to prevent the proliferation of this particular disease.
Sample Answer
The emergence of transmissible disease outbreaks presents a formidable challenge to healthcare facilities, demanding rapid, evidence-based responses to safeguard patient outcomes and prevent widespread proliferation. A data-driven approach is paramount for effective outbreak management, allowing healthcare leaders to move beyond reactive measures to proactive, informed interventions. This paper will evaluate three distinct epidemiological approaches applicable to a transmissible disease outbreak in a typical healthcare facility, highlighting their similarities and differences, and conclude with a six-step preventative plan tailored for key stakeholders. For the purpose of this analysis, we will consider a hypothetical outbreak of a novel, highly transmissible respiratory virus, similar to SARS-CoV-2 but with a higher case fatality rate, within a general hospital setting.
Evaluation of Epidemiological Approaches for Outbreak Management
Managing a transmissible disease outbreak within a healthcare facility requires a systematic and scientific approach. Three key epidemiological strategies can be utilized: descriptive epidemiology, analytical epidemiology, and applied epidemiology (including intervention and evaluation).