The Limitations of WHO's Definition

Task 1:

1.1 Explaining different definition of health:

While defining health, WHO has emphasized on the fact that health is complete wellbeing of mental, social and physical condition of people, in which there is no risk of any disease or ailments. However, the definition has been criticised by many authors. Regarding WHO definition of health Thomas et al. (2018) argued that, in practical life there is huge disparities in concept of health and idealised condition of entire wellbeing. Evidence-based studied have stated that there are many cases in which people feel happy as well as healthy despite having crippling ailments. In the context Dall'ara et al. (2018) mentioned that, in practical life it is possible that people, despite having poor psychological as well as physical wellbeing, have strong subjective wellbeing that makes them able to do regular activities in proper manner without facing any issues. Recent medical database on health has stated health can be defined as the condition in which an individual feels happy, active and healthy despite having poor physical, mental and social wellbeing (Raibagkar and Venna, 2019). Recent evidences state that, definition of health by WHO although has represented comprehensive as well as potential relationship between the subjective and physical wellbeing, in practical life this definition; can be irrelevant as many people stay healthy as well as happy throughout the life despite not having complete wellbeing.

Another definition of health states “Health is a state in which a person is not suffering from any illness and is feeling well.” Although both these two definitions of health represent the common major fact that health can be defined as the complete absence of disease and ailments, there is some differences between the two definitions. As compared to WHO definition of health, this definition does not represent the concept of complete wellbeing of three major health aspects in individual such as physical, mental and social condition. On the other hand, this definition does not emphasize on any relationship of physical, mental and social wellbeing with the subjective wellbeing of people. As argued by Qin et al. (2018), in recent medical framework, health cannot be considered as complete absence of disease, rather today’s health professionals focus on promoting subjective wellbeing of people to assist them feeling healthy, active and happy despite having illness or poor physical or mental wellbeing.

Task 2:

Explaining why and how healthcare associated infection is acquired in patients:

MRSA or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the Gram-Positive bacteria which is genetically different from other Staphylococcus aureus viruses. MRSA is associated with severe infections in patients that are difficult to be treated thereby leading to community spread of infection (Zhao et al. 2017). In case of Carol, the reason behind MRSA infection is the leg ulcer and diabetes she has. As she has diabetes there is increased amount of blood glucose which restricts sooner healing of the wound in areas of leg ulcer which is highly susceptible to MRSA infection. Evidence-based report have stated that, MRSA infection in very common in healthcare homes, diagnostic centres and hospitals in which patient have open wounds. Therefore, Carol is highly vulnerable and prevalent to occurrences of MRSA infection. This is why she has been reported positive for the MRSA infection.

MRSA has multiple drug resistance to many antibiotics that are used for treatment of minor staph infection. For example, MRSA is highly resistant to the Beta-Lactam antibiotics such as Cepham and Penam. While patients in diagnostic centres and hospitals are affected by MRSA infection, this type of infection is known as Healthcare-Associated MRSA (Tong et al. 2016.). Although Clare has the MRSA infection the is low chances of spreading of this infection to other patients as her the infection that occur in the area of leg ulcer us treated by using aseptic techniques, in which health professionals as well as healthcare staffs use ANTT (Aseptic Non Touch Technique) while using medical instruments, Clare’s skin and her bed as well as clothes. Recent medical studies have stated although aseptic techniques are used in eliminating chances of attack of infection to the open wound, using invasive technique is also sometimes associated with developing HA-MRSA infection in patients (Loewen et al. 2017). In the given case study, it can be stated that in case of Claire, use of invasive devices as well as procedure such intravenous tubing, surgeries and artificial joints enhance chances of MRSA bacteria to enter into Clare’s body and cause severe infection in ulcer area.

There is another type of MRSA infection such as Community-associated MRSA or CA-MRSA, which is associated with causing severe infection and critical health condition in patients (Loewen et al. 2017). As the name defines, CA-MRSA is highly contentious which can transfer from one person to the other through skin-to-skin contact. While CA-MRSA infect a person, there occurs a painful boil on skin. Community which consists of healthcare staffs, childcare workers and service providers are highly vulnerable and prevalent to CA-MRSA infection. MRSA bacteria is also stated as Staph bacteria which can live for many hours on any objects such as plastics, clothes and foods. These bacteria are inactive on dead objects but are active when transferred to living organism. This bacterium generally enters into person’s body through droplets of infected person. Based on database presented by WHO merely 2% population in the UK carrying these bacteria in this context, it can be stated that, as Claire has MRSA infection, it is important for her to make proper distance with other people unless the infection is properly removed from her body.

Analysing infection control measures:

There are several measures that are recommended by WHO and CDC in terms of determining, analysing and controlling the infection. Handwashing is one of the most important infection control measures in which healthcare staffs and healthcare professionals need to wash their hand by sanitizer before starting the surgery or treatment of patient suffering from MRSA infection. As mentioned by Lai et al. (2020), aseptic technique and ANTT process can be used in the operation room in terms of protecting patients from any types of infections. Environmental hygiene is another important measure that healthcare staffs need to use in healthcare context in terms of protecting patients from any types of infection. Moreover, healthcare professionals will assure that the rooms of patients are free from any germ and they also assure that foods are served to patient by maintaining the food hygiene. Screening process is important for determining whether the patient is infected with any type of bacteria or viruses. Surveillance is one the most important measure in infection control process, in which healthcare official can gather proper database on infection controlling protocol that are used in hospital and types as well as severity of infection in case of different patients. As mentioned by Cheng et al. (2020), use of relevant antibiotics is considered as important measure in preventing infection. Health professionals as well as healthcare staffs need to assure positive mental, physical and emotional support to patients in terms of improving their involvement into overall treatment process to improve their health condition

Reference list:

Cheng, V.C., Wong, S.C., To, K.K., Ho, P.L. and Yuen, K.Y., 2020. Preparedness and proactive infection control measures against the emerging novel coronavirus in China. Journal of Hospital Infection, 104(3), pp.254-255.

Dall'ara, F., Andreaoli, L., Armentaro, G., Migliorati, F., Frassi, M., Franceschini, F., Calza, S. and Tincani, A., 2018. SAT0433 Application of the doris algorithm for the definition of disease remission over a 2-year period in a cohort of italian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 77, p.1076.

Lai, T.H., Tang, E.W., Chau, S.K., Fung, K.S. and Li, K.K., 2020. Stepping up infection control measures in ophthalmology during the novel coronavirus outbreak: an experience from Hong Kong. Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, pp.1-7.

Loewen, K., Schreiber, Y., Kirlew, M., Bocking, N. and Kelly, L., 2017. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: Literature review and clinical update. Canadian Family Physician, 63(7), pp.512-520.

Qin, S., Fan, L., Liang, J., Gale, R., Miao, Y., Wu, Y., Wang, R., Yang, H., Wu, W., Xia, Y. and Wu, J., 2018. Definition of disease‐progression risk stratification in untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia using combined clinical, molecular and virological variables. Hematological oncology, 36(4), pp.656-662.

Tong, S.Y., Nelson, J., Paterson, D.L., Fowler, V.G., Howden, B.P., Cheng, A.C., Chatfield, M., Lipman, J., Van Hal, S., O’Sullivan, M. and Robinson, J.O., 2016. CAMERA2–combination antibiotic therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 17(1), p.170.

Zhao, Z., Yan, R., Yi, X., Li, J., Rao, J., Guo, Z., Yang, Y., Li, W., Li, Y.Q. and Chen, C., 2017. Bacteria-activated theranostic nanoprobes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. ACS nano, 11(5), pp.4428-4438.