Case Study

Megan has just started work in a residential home. Megan starts on the early shift and goes into Kristina’s room to help her to get out of bed and dressed. Megan is helped by Sabina who has worked at the home for some time. As Megan goes to help Kristina she finds she has been incontinent and has diarrhoea.

1. What systems relevant to the prevention and control of infection should Megan and Sabina be following?
2. Explain the potential impact of an outbreak of infection on the individual and the organisation.
3. Do you think there is a potential risk of infection within this workplace? If so, why?
4. If Kristina has diarrhoea explain the process that should be followed in carrying out a risk assessment and why it is important to do so.

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.