Question: Case Study 4 A Large Metropolitan Hospital Has Seen A Recent Increase In The Number Of Patients Presenting To The ED With Flu-like Symptoms And Epistaxis That Lasted More Than 5 Hours During The Month Of June. Taken Separately, The Two Complaints Followed Typical Trends. Of Significance, However, Was The Number Of Patients Who Presented With Both Problems. …

Case Study 4

A large metropolitan hospital has seen a recent increasein the number of patients presenting to the ED with flu-likesymptoms and epistaxis that lasted more than 5 hours during themonth of June. Taken separately, the two complaints followedtypical trends. Of significance, however, was the number ofpatients who presented with both problems. It has been noted thatthe dual-complaint presentation increased by 95% over the pastweek. At another facility, a patient presented with symptoms ofhemorrhagic fever, although the patient denies any recent trips outof the country. These unusual issues alerted public healthofficials that something of interest was occurring in the city.They inquired whether any unusual or strange patterns were noted atother nearby health care facilities.

How is triage used to screen patients appropriately inthis scenario?

Using the list in Box 26-2 in the text, what were theepidemiological clues presented in this scenario?

Why is it important to monitor health signs, symptoms,and complaints of the population?

It is determined that a rare insect caused the flu-likesymptoms and epistaxis. What resources are available to thehospital to treat this outbreak?