Exposure determination, schedule and method for implementing the plan, and a procedure for evaluating exposure incidents. Explain why it is important to meet standards recognized by leading agencies in the infection control field. It helps protect you and those around you, reduces work hazards. How can your actions at work (or your future healthcare job/career) affect the health and safety of your family? If you do not take proper precautions regarding infection control you may be likely to spread the disease to you or your family.
Refer to case study on pages 15-16 of Kenamer (Basic Infection Control for Health Care Providers) to answer the following questions. The Supreme Court determined that the presence of HIV is a qualifying disability under the ADA since it substantially limits one or more major life activities, including the ability to reproduce. List other major life activities that may be limited when a person has an infectious disease. Some diseases can restrict people from being able to walk, excercise, and work.
The case was sent back to the lower court to determine if Abbott’s asymptomatic HIV infection posed a threat to Dr. Bragdon. According to Bragdon, as of September 1994, the CDC had identified seven dental workers with suspected occupational transmission of HIV. Do you believe the plaintiff’s HIV infection posed a threat to the defendant? No, I do not believe the plaintiff posed a threat to the defendant by being treated in the dental office because the dentist should follow the same and proper procedure as any other patient.
Search the internet or your local law library to learn if there have been other ADA cases related in infectious disease. Discuss your findings. In what way do you suppose the hospital was better able, according to Dr. Bragdon, to care for a patient with HIV? What precautions should be taken in any setting? Because a person with HIV is considered “sick“ and being a hospital is full of people who are sick and people to take care of them, the same precautions should have been taken with any other patient.
Refer to case study on page 23 of Kenamer (Basic Infection Control for Health Care Providers) to answer the following questions. What do you believe motivated people to discriminate against Ryan White? I believe people were motivated to discriminate on Ryan White because of the media and lack of knowledge they had regarding AIDS. If the media would reach out and try to get the word out regarding AIDS the young boy would not have been discriminated upon so badly. Why is Ryan White such an important figure to: The HIV/AIDS community?
The health care community? The disabled? He is such an important figure because he dedicated what life he had left to HIV/AIDS awareness, he stood up to the community about being able to attend school. Research the effect that Ryan White had on the world. What can you do to be a positive influence in your family, school, state, country, and world? You can help spread awareness by holding public functions, attending seminars, speaking out to the world and showing the facts.