RNSG 1363 Assignment 4 Clinical Epidemiology AND Decision-Making CASE Study

Formulate a plan on how you would use clinical epidemiology to guide your opinions and actions on dealing with this issue. Plan: Contact the Department of Environmental Protection to see what type of mold we are dealing with. I need to estimate how many people are involved and How many personal houses and commercial buildings are. Assess how many people will need medical attention, so I will know how many medical staff to have available. Once I have all those things in place; I can give my opinion and what type of action need to be taken to prevent as many people as I can from health injuries from mold. Propose three types of molds that could develop from flood damage and the associated health risks with each type of mold. Different types of mold - black mold, toxic mold, allergenic mold - are present all thetime around us and in the air, we breathe. In low levels, molds and mold spores are generally harmless but if their 1 lOMoARcPSD| levels increase they can affect people; especially people with allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions or suppressed immune system. Allergenic mold and mold spores are normally not dangerous to humans in low amounts, but they cause allergic or asthmatic symptoms. Generally, these types of mold can be relatively easy and safely cleaned and removed. Note that even dead mold spores or mold particles can trigger allergy symptoms or allergic reactions. Mycotoxin mold and mold spores are those containing toxins in the cell wall. These types of mold can cause serious health problems in humans and animals. These molds range from short-term irritation to immunosuppression, cancer, and even death. If toxic molds are identified, it is suggested that you seek advice from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional for guidance. The average the homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold. Pathogenic mold is the type of mold that causes infections. Pathogenic molds can 2 lOMoARcPSD| cause serious health effects in persons with suppressed immune systems, those taking chemotherapy, and those with HIV/AIDS, or autoimmunity disorders. If any pathogenic molds are identified, it is suggested that you seek advice from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional. The average homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of this type of mold. Hyphae & hyphal elements are single, unidentifiable fragments of mold. Although they might not be traceable to a specific mold species, these fragments can be responsible for allergic reactions in some people and may indicate previous or current growth. Ascospores and basidiospores are clusters of spores that may not be easily identified as a specific species, but may represent a mold problem in the property.(http://www.A What is black mold? 3 lOMoARcPSD| Black mold or toxic mold has been associated with the mold Stachybotrys Chart arum, a type of greenish-black fungus that is found throughout the world and is typically wet and slimy to the touch; mold commonly associated with heavy water damage (American Industrial Hygiene Association). There are somewhere in the neighborhood of 15 different species that grow in the surrounding where the humidity exceeds 50%. Stachybotrys Chartarum thrives on materials high in cellulose and low in nitrogen content. Examples include wet leaves, straw, carpet, wallpaper, thermal insulation, fiberboard, drywall gypsum board, paper, dust, and hay. The health effects of Stachybotrys Chartarum are Agricultural and farm workers whohandled moist, wet hay experienced symptoms, not unlike those that were affecting nearby animals. Individuals who ate grain from the contaminated hay experienced symptoms such as burning sensations in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, andabdominal pain. Stachybotrys Chartarium occurs more frequently in animals than in humans. However, if spores are released into the air, humans certainly can come into contactwith them and develop symptoms that include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, irritation to the eyes or throat, skin rash, and diarrhea. Many of these symptoms arecommonly associated with allergies. Some theories hold that the symptoms are an allergic reaction to the mold or from toxic byproducts from the mold. There also seems to be an association between trichothecenes (the mycotoxin produced when SC interacts with certain other molds) and certain human diseases. Http:// 3. Outline a plan to communicate key information to health practitioners who will 4 lOMoARcPSD| most likely treat the symptoms of mold. Include a timeline for when this outbreak can beexpected. MEMO: Health Practitioners We have an estimate of 5,400 homes and businesses that suffered from some sort of flood damage during the event. Wead 124 sewage treatment plants that were affected by the flood, with 14 of them spilling raw sewage into waterways. We have moa ld infestation, and we need to be prepared to take care of approximately 10,000 plus people being our highest and 4,000 being our lowest. If anyone comes with the following symptoms: Respiratory problems such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing Nasal and sinus congestion Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity Dry, hacking cough Sore throat Nose and throat irritation Shortness of breath and lung disease Chronic fatigue Skin irritation Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, loss of memory, and mood