...Western Governors University Task 3 Severe acute respiratory syndrome also known as SARS is a form of pneumonia and is in the same family as the common cold. This virus became a pandemic in 2002-2003 causing more than 8,000 people to be infected and 774 deaths. It began in Guangdong province of China where the first case was reported and it was a farmer that was infected. Before it could be figured out what the virus was and how it was being spread over 200 residents contracted SARS in a week (Hunt, 2013). Later it was found that the host of the virus came from mammals called civets that were sold in an animal market in China. SARS spread from Asia to North America in a matter of months and there are still missing links between the spread of the virus from animal to human (Virol, 2008). The area with the most cases and hardest hit with SARS was Beijing, China which was where this virus started. The virus then spread to Hong Kong and Guangdong province and these were the second hardest hit. SARS spread rapidly before anyone knew what the host was. This was finally controlled in July 2003 when they started screening airline passengers that traveled from different countries for signs of the virus (Virol, 2008). SARS infected anyone that came in contact with the disease. Signs and symptoms occurred 2-10 days after being infected which were cough, difficulty breathing, fever, muscle aches and chills. The virus was spread by droplets from coughing or sneezing in a close...
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...Community Description and Data Interpretation Anchorage is the most populated city of the state of Alaska. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 300,950 people reside in Alaska’s largest city (factfinder.census.gov). Anchorage land area is approximately 1700 square miles with approximately 180 people per square mile (www.city-data.com). The city is located in the south central region of the largest state in the union and is known for its travel and tourism industry. People come to Anchorage from around the world while on their way to view the rest of this majestic state. Anchorage is the home of the World Championship Sled Dog Race as well as the ceremonial starting location of the world famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Anchorage is a military friendly community with the United States Air Force and the United States Army both stationed at the military installation known as Joint Based Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) located within the municipality. Anchorage’s economy consists of revenues from the petroleum industry, the military, and the tourism/service industry. Anchorage is also known for its closeness with wildlife since the Chugach State Park, which is one of the four largest state parks in the United States, is located within the municipality (dnr.alaska.gov). It is not uncommon to read and hear about moose or bear encounters while walking on the local bike trails, as well as whale watching in the body of water known as the Cook Inlet, named after the famous...
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...BEC1 Task 1 Western Governors University BEC1 Task 1 A1 and A2 Community Description and Data Rutherford County is a county located in the western foothills of North Carolina. Rutherford County was founded in 1779. Griffith Rutherford named the county after himself. He was a general in the American Revolutionary War. Today with the Motto of Small Town Friendly Rutherford County’s population is 67,810 according to 2010 Census. ("2010," 2014, p. 1) Rutherford County’s population is a mix of different races. The breakdown in 2010 consist of whites (86.79%), African Americans(11.23%), Native Americans(0.20%), Asian(0.22%), Pacific Islander(0.03%), other races(0.67%), two or more races(0.74%) and Hispanic(1.81%). ("Rutherford County," 2014, p. 1) The population age group under 18(23.8%), age 18-20(8%), age 25-44(27.9%), age 45-64(24.3%), and age 65 and older (16%). The population of females in 2010 is 35,029 and males 32,781. ("Rutherford County," 2014, p. 1) Rutherford County has 564 square miles of land and 1.7 square miles of water. ("US Census Bureau," 2014, p. 1) The birth rate per 1000 of the population for Rutherford County from 2000-2006 was 12.5%. The death rate per 1000 of the population for Rutherford County from 2000-2006 was 12.2 %.("Rutherford County, North Carolina (NC)," 2013, p. 1) In Rutherford county adult obesity is increasing, physical inactivity decreasing and the uninsured is rising. The obesity rate in 2010 was 28% compared to 2014 30%, Physical inactivity...
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...Quality of Life Quality of Life and Functioning SZT1 Task 2 Quality of Life and Functioning Personal Beliefs End of life and quality of life questions have ridden waves of media attention for the last thirty years since 1987, when Dr. Jack Kevorkian first started advertising “death counseling” and eventually created his death machine and acted in his first assisted suicide ("The real jack," 2013). Prior to becoming a nurse, this author already had very strong feelings in regard to quality of life and end of life issues. Being exposed to long-term nursing home care with my grandmother, and in interactions with my parents, I formed a belief that when a person is no longer able to function independently and comfortably, there is very little value to living for living’s sake only. These early experiences have led me to a belief in strong support of patients and their families rights to make decisions on withdrawal of care, comfort measures, dignity in dying and even as far as supporting self determinate euthanasia for terminally ill patients. I believe that in this regard, people treat animals better than their loved ones. I have found it very “comfortable” and almost easy to help families through the decision making process for withdrawal of care and Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNR). Supporting families and patients in their last minutes has been immensely rewarding. I...
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...Pierce County, WA Community Assessment Western Governors University Pierce County, WA Community Assessment Community Description and Data Interpretation Pierce County is situated in the central west of Washington State. The county is divided by Puget Sound, with the majority of the land to the east of the major waterway. There are several small islands included in the county that are located near the southern edge of the Sound. At the county’s eastern border, the beginnings of foothills lead to the actively volcanic Mount Rainier’s summit. Many parts of the county today are built upon the deposits of lahar from past eruptions. The geography of Pierce county ranges from a rocky shore to a lush, national forest with many lakes, rivers, and creeks in between. Overall, the county has 1794 square miles of land and 118 square miles of water, not including Puget Sound (Pierce County Department Of Emergency Management, 2010). Pierce County became well known in the late nineteen hundreds when the city of Tacoma became the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad – the first transcontinental railroad in the north. The introduction of this railroad led to an increase in shipping and manufacturing in the area. At the time, lumber, shipping, farming, and coal mining powered Pierce’s economy. With the exception of mining, all these industries are still present today, though industrialization has made them less prominent than in the past (Pierce County Department...
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...The position of a community health nurse has many obstacles including the transmission of communicable diseases. While there are many that exist in local jurisdictions, global communicable diseases may pose a threat for the world. Especially for people who travel abroad are presumed to be at higher risk to contract a communicable disease. For instance, SARS is a respiratory illness that could potentially lead to many health issues for an individual but can also be transmitted to others. If this illness is identified in a particular community the health care professionals to include the community nurse should be able to analyze the epidemiology, cause and manifestations of the disease, as well as the mode of transmission. The educated community nurse should have the knowledge base to deal with the outbreak of SARS. In order to meet the community needs as it relates to a communicable disease, the community nurse must take on specific measures. They must identify the disease along with its manifestations of symptoms and effective interventions to stop the spread. The causative agent for SARS is usually the Corona Virus, which is known for attacking a person’s respiratory system. The most common symptoms of SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, are headache, body aches, muscle aches, and a fever greater than 104 degrees. It is possible for a person too have diarrhea, coughing, and shortness of breath. It is usually spread through bodily secretions, such as coughing...
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...Community and Population Health SZT1 Task 4 Joann Stocks Western Governors University Community and Population Health SZT1 Task 4 A. Explain the role of the major public health personnel, including the public health nurse, involved in the disaster. The public health personnel are responsible to make sure the community that had become a victim of a disaster is healthy and safe. They also assess and evaluate what the immediate and long term issues are. The public health personnel are made up of a team. The major team includes finance/administration chief, logistics chief, public information officer, operations chief, liaison officer, planning chief, and public health nurse. Members of the public health personnel should be trained not only in their designated roles but also be familiarized of the other member’s roles. In case there is a shortage in the staff, they can rearrange and stand in where needed. In this disaster the public health nurse went around door to door in the neighborhoods, interviewing, and assessing the needs of the victims. The public health nurse would also provide advice and resources to the victims for each of their needs. Then the public health nurse takes back the information collected and informs the emergency operation center (EOC). The public information officer gathers information from other members and agencies in order to provide correct information and awareness to the public. Some of the information they may provide is...
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...Communicable Disease Outbreak - Hat Task 3 Essay 9 Environmental and Global Health Issues 8 Emergency Response Final Steps The WGU Library Center for Writing Excellence: The WGU Writing Center Feedback Course Material Learning Resources All Notes SZT1 - Community and Population Health This course supports the assessment for SZT1. The course covers 4 competencies and represents 3 competency units. Introduction The study of community health nursing includes multiple issues, including vulnerable populations, families, violence, safety, disaster preparedness, communicable disease, and immunization. The content of this course will provide you with an opportunity to expand your practice perspective from the individual level to that of the community and system level. The activities in this course are directed to enhance your appreciation of the effort of making the United States a healthier nation. Watch the following video introduction for this course: Competencies This course provides guidance to help you demonstrate the following 4 competencies: •Competency 725.8.1: Community Health EpidemiologyThe graduate assesses and analyzes the health status of populations using data, community resources identification, input from the population, and professional judgment; and determines...
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...SZT1 Task 4 Western Governors University During disasters, healthcare personnel are vital in recovery efforts. Responsibilities of healthcare officials during times of disaster include assisting in prevention of injury, upholding food and water safety, relaying information regarding health consequences, and coordinating access to healthcare needs. Following disaster situations, public health care providers are responsible for ensuring citizens have access to follow up care and evaluating disaster response to plan for future disaster response. Each member of the healthcare team has responsibilities as well. The nurse’s responsibilities are ensuring that the needs of the community are met, in order to do this, they may do health inspections of restaurants, door to door interviews to assist with medical needs that may present, and ensure that people have healthy living conditions with clean drinking water and food that has been safely prepared. The nurse may also speak with the media to answer any public health questions they may have. After the disaster, the nurse provides education regarding safety concerns. The public information officer is responsible for guaranteeing that appropriate information is provided to public and ensuring public health staff has correct information so message is consistent. The finance section chief ensures that contractual and financial processes remain intact and tracks resources. The liaison officer acts as the point of contact for supporting...
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...SZT3 SARS Joy Ross Western Governors University Community and Population Health SZT1 January 21, 2014 SZT3 SARS In November of 2002, an outbreak of what was later determined to be SARS was first reported in Guangdong Province in Southern China.("SARS" 2012) By the time it was contained and over, a mere 8 months had passed. It was July of 2003 and over 8,000 people had been infected. Out of those infected, 776 people died. During that time, SARS was all over the news. Panic from the epidemic was everywhere. Fortunately, the World Health Organization’s response (Knobler, Mahmoud, & Lemon,), led by the Global Outbreak and Alert Response Network (GOARN), contained the disease quickly and so effectively that, to this day, the virus is considered obsolete outside of laboratories. (Adams,) SARS generally starts with symptoms of a high fever, body aches, and all over malaise. About a fifth of patients develop diarrhea. After about a week, coughing and other respiratory symptoms such as hypoxia develop. A large majority of patients develop pneumonia.("SARS," ) According to NIH, the SARS epidemic had five phases. The first phase (Intra-epidemic/sporadic cases) happened in March 2003 and followed the reports of “atypical pneumonia” in Guangdong Province from November 16th, 2002. ("SARS: Timeline of an Outbreak" 2014) A teaching hospital was host to a massive outbreak among staff, medical students, and patients in March 2003. (Hung, 2003) In phase one, the index patient...
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...* * * * * * * * * A Disaster in Franklin County * Lori Zrebski * October 13, 2014 * SZT1 * * * * * * * * * A Disaster in Franklin County * * Role of Public Health Personnel * When a disaster strikes, the general population relies heavily on the expertise of public health personnel. It is their expertise in disaster management that keeps communities safe, whether it be a natural disaster or otherwise. * Franklin County was hit hard by a summer storm, leaving thousands without power, safe food and water, and access to healthcare and medication. It is the role of the various public health officials to ensure that community stays safe, focusing on immediate life and safety threats. Their role also includes assessing the long term effects on public health. * The Public Health Deputy Director served as the Incident Commander (IC) at the Public Health Emergency Operations Center; the Public Health Director represented the Public Health Department at the County EOC. Both of these people need to have great knowledge of the department and be able to give direction * Mary Schneider, a book keeper was appointed as the Finance Section Chief; this person is responsible for ensuring that the proper contractual agreements and finances are in place. She was chosen for her knowledge of accounting software and...
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...SZT1 Community Health Practice Task 4 Disaster in Franklin County Tracie Willis Western Governors University Franklin County was recently victim to a massive summer storm. The storm resulted in tornado, thunder storms, flash flooding, power outages, roads and bridges closed, and even a hazardous materials spill. To assess the damages that the towns and the residents suffered, and how to best deal with the aftermath, a task force was created. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was set up and an Incident command briefing was called. The chain of command was established at this time. All members of the task force reported to the EOC commander. The community health nurse was called to join the task force as a member of the Public Health Group; this group was under the supervision of the Medical/Health Branch Director. The Director of the Medical/Health branch reported to the Operations Chief and she reported directly to the EOC Commander. One of the branches of the task force, the Public Health Group, was tasked with evaluating the health risks and needs of the community. This group was led by the Operations Chief; her responsibilities included developing and implementing strategy and tactics to carry out the objectives identified by the taskforce at the EOC briefing, as well as organize, assign, and supervise the tactical field operations. The Logistics chief supports the operation by acquiring things that are need to get the...
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...Environmental & Global Health Issues Barbara Salinas Community Health Practice SZT1 Western Governors University August 29, 2014 Environmental & Global Health Issues SARS The first pandemic of the 21st century began in February of 2003. The people of Asia were the first to be infected but the disease quickly spread world-wide. By the end of this pandemic over 8,000 people had become ill and 774 had died. The illness associated with this pandemic is known as Severe Acute Reparatory Syndrome, or SARS. The infectious agent associated with SARS is a virus that appears to have crown-like spikes on its surface. This virus is known as the coronavirus. This virus has four sub-groups and was commonly known to infect animals. In the 1960’s there were six strains of the coronavirus that were discovered to have the ability to infect humans. The particular strain of this virus responsible for SARS was the SARS-CoV. This particular strain of the virus has the ability to infect humans and animals (CDC, 2012). SARS is a contagious virus that is spread through droplets from person to person. This occurs as the infected person coughs or sneezes on or near a non-infected person. The droplets travel through the air as they land on the non-infected person the virus begins to invade their body. Shortly after the SARS-CoV virus has invaded and multiplied in the human body the individual may begin to experience upper respiratory symptoms such as high fever, headache...
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...SZT1 – Task 4 WGU Preparedness is vital in managing any disaster situation. During the simulation, Disaster in Franklin County, the role of the public health personnel was fundamental for its success, particularly the public health nurse, since the nurse often times is a first responder in disasters like this. It’s especially helpful to observe the actions and techniques that were used by a nurse during this disaster simulator. Role of Public Health Personnel Maintaining emotional and physical safety of the community is part of the role of the public health personnel during a disaster situation. During the Franklin County disaster, the Public Health Department personnel ensured safety and basic needs for survival for its community. Basic, and yet essential, necessities such as shelter, clean water and food as well as medications were provided. The Public Health Department has the responsibility to maintain and distribute the most current information on how the community can get help, how to obtain basic supplies, and if there are any health threats and concerns. The public health nurse uses skills of assessing and prioritizing, assuring that all needs and concerns within her scope of practice are met. Other members of the Public Health Department team operate and maintain all the other jobs that aren’t in the scope of practice of the nurse. The health educator helped direct those evacuated to the closest shelter; the bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining...
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...Community Assessment Danielle Clark Western Governors Community and Population Health SZT1 Task 1 January 23, 2014 Community Assessment A1: Community Description and Data Presentation Hemet is a small community located in southern California within Riverside County. Hemet is at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. It is 87 miles southeast from Los Angeles and 86 miles northeast from San Diego. Perfectly placed with a small drive to beautiful forestry in one direction and the Pacific Ocean in the opposite direction. The weather is hot and dry in the summer and can get cold in the winter but generally sunny weather all year long. The average temperature is 65 degrees ("City of Hemet," 2013, table 6). The land is desert, dry and yet there is such beauty to the open land. According to the 2010 United States Census the population is 78,657. ("U.S. Census," 2010, table 1). Hemet has many mobile home parks and master plan retirement communities filled with an older population. Younger families are moving in and planting roots. Hemet is filling with community parks and schools, shopping centers, and aquatic centers for the young. It still has some of the old charm of an outdoor amphitheater at the Ramona Bowl, historical old town center and an old Railroad Museum connected to railroad tracks built in 1888 and closed in 1987("City of Hemet," 2013, para. 8). There are two lakes which both are reservoirs for Hemet and the surrounding communities called Lake Hemet and Lake...
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