Problem
How would you strengthen their disaster plan based on the role of the nurse. Provide feedback on any points needing improvement.
If an illness outbreak occurred in the physician's office the priority would be determining the type of illness, how the illness is spread, how long the illness lasts, guidelines pertaining returning to work and or school, and then implementing precautions and the proper use of PPE for all staff working during the outbreak to protect the health of the nurses as well as the incoming patients. Staff education will have to be performed to ensure staff is aware of the ongoing illness and constant education should be provided as the disease progresses and changes over time. The CDC and the WHO will be great resources to follow and it will be the primary responsibility of the staff to adhere to all guidelines and stay up to date on current information regarding the illness. Staff as well as patients will have to don the appropriate PPE prior to patient/visitor interaction. After determining the illness and the proper precautions and PPE required, it would be imperative to implement testing on every individual entering the office with any signs or symptoms indicative of the present illness. Testing each patient will be the only way to isolate individuals and limit contact and the spread of the illness. Vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature would be a priority intervention to determine the patient's status as well as an assessment, pain assessment, and history of illness. As the staff RN I would delegate vital signs and illness point of care testing to the LPN or medical assistant in the physician's office while I assessed the patient, obtained illness history, and initiated any medication ordered for pain or respiratory distress. The use of a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer for any respiratory distress and the use of an antipyretic to decrease pain/aches/and fever in the office would also be priority nursing interventions