Section: Module 4: Lesson 4: Communicate Findings - Step 13 | Outbreak Investigation | NextGenU.org

  • Learning objectives:
    • Explain how the components of outbreak investigation are communicated in a report.
    • Evaluate the applicability of the outbreak investigation process in your settings.

    Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute):  8 hours and 51 minutes

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    • Students must
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      Required Learning Resources and Activities
    • page icon
      13. Communicate findings Page
      Students must
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      This short resource will provide you with information regarding the contents of a final report.

    • forum icon
      Forum: Reflection on the case study
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      Start discussions: 1

      In this activity, you will reflect on the case study you followed along the course.
      Step 1: Read and address the following questions plus any other you may have: 

        • In your opinion, is your work unit able to assemble an outbreak investigation team on short notice? 
        • Was the outbreak in the case study appropriately managed? Explain your answer
        • How important is it to have an interdisciplinary team managing an outbreak investigation?
      Step 2: Answer the questions provided in step 1 in 200 to 500 words. 

      Step 3: Submit your assignment for peer review by clicking “add a new discussion topic” below and completing the fields.

      Step 4: Review the work of one of your peers by asking yourself the questions listed below and comment on their post stating that their post meets these requirements.

        • Did my peer detail the ability of their work unit to assemble an outbreak investigation team?
        • Did my peer provide an overview of the management of the case study provided along the course?
        • Did my peer explain the importance of having an interdisciplinary team to manage an outbreak?
        • Did my peer address the questions on 200 to 500 words?

    • forum icon
      Peer Activity: Write an Outbreak Investigation report (Step 13) Forum

      In this activity, you will apply your knowledge acquired along the course by performing the 13th step of an Outbreak Investigation, writing a report.

      Step 1: Read the following recap of the case:

      On September 19, 2015, the director of a nursing home with 169 residents in Nowhereville called the regional public health office because a number of its staff and residents were experiencing bloody diarrhea. The first case was noted on September 9th, 2015, and was followed within the next few days by approximately 50 ill residents. By September 18th, the causative organism had been identified as E. coli O157: H7. In the previous month, no cases of E. coli O157: H7 had been identified in the nursing home. However, 6 residents had complained of loose stools. In the previous 12 months, 3 cases of E. coli O157: H7 had been reported from among the residents of this institution. 

      The hypothesis has been designed and reevaluated from: One of the meals served at the nursing home in early September that may have been contaminated, causing the outbreak. However, it is not clear which meal(s) or which food item(s) may have been implicated. To: The outbreak has been linked to eating ham sandwiches from the cafeteria and then later to person to person transmission. 

      Team members met with the nursing home's administrator and learned about possible sources or unusual happenings before or at the time of the outbreak. They learned that on September 2, a special party was held for nursing home residents and their families. Also, the institution's kitchen had been under construction for some weeks prior to the outbreak and the residents had been fed from a temporary kitchen. On September 5th cooking activities were transferred back to the usual location. This produced considerable disruption, including several episodes when the water was disconnected. In addition, one of the kitchen staff had reported having diarrhea in early September. Immediate and long term control measures have been implemented. 

      Step 2: Read this webpage from the ECDC and identify the information you need to write your report, then go back to the course case study activities to collect all the needed information.

      Step 3: Write a short Outbreak Investigation Report. Your assignment must have between 800 to 1000 words and contain the following steps:

      1. Summary
      2. Introduction and Background
      3. Methods
      4. Results
      5. Discussion
      6. Recommendations

      Step 4: Include your report in a document and submit your assignment for peer review by clicking “add a new discussion topic” below and completing the fields. Make sure to upload the document that contains your work, do NOT paste your work in the Description box.

      Step 5: Review a peer’s report and evaluate it based on the reflection questions listed below.

      1. Did my peer follow the proper structure of an Outbreak Investigation report? 
      2. Did my peer include the 6 steps of an Outbreak Investigation report? 
      3. Is the report grammatically correct, clear, concise, and professionally written? 
      4. Did my peer assignment have a minimum of 800 words?
      Not available unless: The activity Case study - Step 12 is marked complete
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      Quiz: Module 4: Lesson 4
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      To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the "Preview quiz now" button to respond to the questions.