:Module 5 DQ 1 “Primary prevention is defined as a comprehensive disaster plan that should have input from a broad range of community representatives. Experts describe disaster planning as a process of assessing risk and capacities for responding during an actual disaster” (Rittenmeyer, 2007). An example of a “primary prevention” would be preventive health measures. One example would be, preventing the transmission of disease to generally healthy populations by promoting healthy practices. Unfortunately, according to the “Diary of Medical Mission”, the hospitals in Haiti did not have an emergency and/or disaster plan. The “nurse” described the hospitals as having no organization and that supplies were scattered everywhere. Nurses and all health care providers need to know the emergency and or disaster plan of the institution in which they work in order to provide a safe environment in times of disasters. “Secondary prevention is defined as interventions that would occur during the acute stage of a disaster” (Rittenmeyer, 2007). These interventions would depend on the type and scope of the disaster or emergency. The goal of secondary prevention intervention is to decrease the effects of the disaster on individuals and the community. An example of secondary prevention is to identify and treat as early as possible diseased people to prevent their infections from progressing to a more serious complication or death. In the “Diary of Medical Mission” an example would be alleviating symptoms of diseases by administering IVs and oral rehydration solution early to a child with diarrhea to prevent dehydration and possible death. Secondary interventions need to also include strategies on dealing with measures to decrease the long-term emotional effects of trauma. People cope with the emotional effects of trauma in different ways. Some turn to religion, some talk and some either gave money to or became involved in a group. “Tertiary prevention interventions are designed to meet the long-term needs of individuals and the community after the disaster has been resolved. The required types and scope of tertiary services will largely be determined by the type and scope of the disaster” (Rittenmeyer, 2007). There will be a number of people who will need long term help after a disaster and or emergency. These may include but are not limited to: “individual, group, and family therapy; effective pharmacotherapy; as well as short and long term hospitalization and rehabilitation” (Rittenmeyer, 2007). In the “Diary of Medical Mission” an example of tertiary prevention would be offering psychotherapy and rehabilitative services to reduce permanent damage from emotional and physical trauma. Programs will be needed to encourage healing in both the individuals and the community. The three proposed interventions fall under the emergency phase of the disaster which began at the end of the impact. The ultimate goal of primary prevention is preventive health care and promoting healthy practices. Secondary prevention identifies and treats as early as possible infectious people to prevent the infection from progressing to a more serious complication or death. Lastly, tertiary prevention aimed toward reducing permanent damage from diseases and trauma. In facilitating the proposed interventions, I would work with the International Red Cross because of its size, establishment, resources, training and preparedness including experienced in dealing with major disasters. The magnitude of the disaster in Haiti was so serious that it required an experienced organization like the International Red Cross to minimize the effects of human pain and suffering and being productive for every minute spend on the ground. References:
Maurer, Smith, Frances, Claudia, Community/Public Health Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, Saunders, 2013, VitalBook file, Pageburst Online, Retrieved from: http://pageburstls.elsevier.com/books
Rittenmeyer, L., RN,CNS., PsyD., Men in Nursing, June 2007, Vol.2, No.3, Disaster Preparedness: Are You Read?, Retrieved from: http://www.nursingcenter,com