Answer

Working Title

Infection Control as a Challenge to Healthcare

Introduction

Infectious diseases have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as among the leading causes of death among children and adolescents, and one of the leading causes of adult death. In recent times, there has been a common recurrence of infectious diseases like the Zika and Ebola virus out breaks in certain parts of the globe.

General problem statement

Infectious disease outbreak has created general public concern over the possibility of such diseases being transferred to other counties through uncontrolled travel by persons who are infected thus spreading the disease even further.

Specific problem statement

The recurrence of infectious diseases has considerably raised awareness over the global burden of infectious diseases thus raising serious questions about the preparedness of public health systems to combat an outbreak. This is especially due to the fact thatthe federal reports that one out of every twenty patients in a hospital is likely to contract a hospital acquired infection (Infectious Diseases: Prevention and Control 2013).

Purpose statement

The capstone project will look at measures that can be put in place to ensure healthcare preparedness in dealing with infectious disease control.

Research questions

• Are public healthcare systems prepared and equipped enough to combat infectious diseases?
• What are some of the government legislations on infectious diseases intervention?
• How can the healthcare system manage and control the occurrence and spread of infectious disease without undermining the dignity of infected patients?
• What are some of the safety measures provided for in the healthcare system for healthcare givers in instances of infectious disease intervention?

Hypothesis

There are still serious gaps in healthcare systems ability to manage disease outbreaks and contain their spread and survival for good. This is in terms of lack of constant vigilance and enough funds leading to limited supply of necessary vaccines or other interventions and training of personnel

There is still insufficient supply of healthcare necessities like vaccines drugs in certain parts of the world especially developing countries. This gives room for the emergence of new viruses that spread quickly to other countries.

As much as the Center for Disease Control is alert in its efforts to identify infectious diseases and minimize their effects, there are still gaps in its surveillance system hence the recurrence of certain diseases.

Important strategies to put in place include medical countermeasures through vaccines, drugs and various interventions. Constant public health surveillance system such that emerging diseases are monitored and controlled before they spread. Hospital infection control and constant hygiene to prevent spread of respiratory infections.

Even though infection control still remains a challenge to the health care system, strict measures can be adopted to ensure that there is maximum preparedness for cases such as the serious emerging diseases.