Question

Ben was one of only two phlebotomists working the Memorial Day holiday.  It was very busy and he barely had time to sanitize his hands, much less remember to button up his lab coat for every draw.  Besides, he was too warm with it on.  

Everyone that he drew in the ER seemed to have the flue or some sort of diarrhea or stomach issue.

As soon as Ben’s shift was over, he went straight home.  Without changing his clothes, he sat down in his recliner to relax before he had to fix dinner for the family.  His 18 month-old daughter, Charlotte crawled up into his lap to snuggle.

Four days later, Ben has to take Charlotte to Urgent Care because diarrhea and vomiting have made her very dehydrated.

Questions:

A. Charlotte’s illness is similar to those of the ER patients.  Why might this be?

B.  If the contamination came from an ER patient, identify three ways her illness could have been avoided.

C. Would this be considered a Hospital Acquired Infection?

Answer 1

A) Charlotte's illness is similar to those of ER patients because , Ben was in direct contact with the ER patients, he didn't even bothered to sanitize himself after meeting them. He might have received the bacteria causing those symptoms from the patients and passed on those bacteria to his 18 month old daughter, as he didn't even brothered to even change his clothes and washing hands before playing with his daughter.

Though bacteria might be less in number but as children have low immunity compared to an adult ; Charlotte developed the disease and Ben did not.

B) This illness could have been avoided by three simple things. If Ben would have taken care of these things, Charlotte would not have developed the disease.

1) He should have washed /sanitized his hand before and after meeting every ER patient.

2) He should have buttoned up his lab coat properly.

3) He should have changed his clothes and wash his hands as soon as he reaches back home.

C) Yes this can be considered as hospital acquired infection as this is due to the lack of taking proper hyigene and sanitation measures by a phlebotomist.