The goal of community health nurse is primary prevention against influenza, vaccinating and educating patients, employees and volunteers to prevent …show more content…
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), influenza cases have been increasing in the state this season “Statewide emergency department visits attributed to the “fever/flu syndrome” are beginning to increase and are now at 4.6%, which is below the level of 5% statewide that is generally considered the minimum threshold when there are elevated influenza-associated ED visits”. Furthermore, reports as of November 2016 have showed that A total of 66 positive influenza reports have been reported during the current season (August 28 – November 19, 2016). Influenza was reported in seven counties: New Haven (24 reports), Fairfield (17), Hartford (14), Litchfield (4), New London (4), Middlesex (2) and Tolland County (1). Of the 66 positive influenza reports, 48 were Type A (subtype unspecified), 13 were Type A (H3N2), and 5 were influenza B virus”. From the 66 positive influenza reports, 50% were hospitalized “A total of 33 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza admitted between August 28 and November 19, 2016 have been reported to …show more content…
The report estimates that 23.6% of the residents are in poverty condition, in comparison the state of CT having 10.5%. There are many different factors that cause the increase in patients testing positive for influenza in the Bridgeport community. Some of these factors include poverty, lack of knowledge about the disease, fear of needles, lack of resources such as medical insurance and treatment, also difficulty of transport to and from doctor’s appointments. With a high percentage of poverty in the city, many residents have daily struggles. Not having a secure place to sleep, living in unhygienic conditions, the lack of adequate nutrition and medical resources increases the risk of exposure to communicable diseases “The influenza virus is easily transmitted from human to human, mainly by droplet spread” (Duncan, 2016). St Vincent’s Medical Mission at Home offers medical exams, vaccinations including flu shots, prescription counseling, foot washing and podiatry services, behavioral health services, mammography, and follow-up care at no