In July 2015, an elderly woman being treated for several health issues attended a local health clinic

In July 2015, an elderly woman being treated for several health issues
attended a local health clinic. The medications for her chronic diseases
placed her in an immunocompromised status. While waiting to be seen by
her primary care physician, a child came in with his mother, sneezing and
coughing. Nothing more was thought of it until the woman died from
pneumonia—caused by measles. This was the first death in the United
States from measles in 12 years.
Discussion Questions
485
Health Care Management, Fourth Edition
ISBN 9781284156638
Sharon B. Buchbinder
In July 2015, an elderly woman being treated for several health issues
attended a local health clinic. The medications for her chronic diseases
placed her in an immunocompromised status. While waiting to be seen by
her primary care physician, a child came in with his mother, sneezing and
coughing. Nothing more was thought of it until the woman died from
pneumonia—caused by measles. This was the first death in the United
States from measles in 12 years.
Discussion Questions
1. What are the facts of this case?
2. What would have been the potential impact on the woman if the child
had the following diseases: pertussis, polio, influenza, or Ebola?
3. What are the management implications of this case? Should there be
separate waiting rooms for people with an immunocompromised
status?
4. What are the legal and ethical obligations of the parent of the
unvaccinated child?
5. What are the legal and ethical obligations the clinic has to its patients
and how do they apply to this case? Should the woman’s family seek
legal remedies?
6. An RN who works at the clinic refuses to have an influenza
vaccination. She does not have allergies, nor does she have religious
objections. She just “doesn’t believe in them.” Create a script for a
conversation with this employee, urging her to reconsider, and
detailing the consequences of her continued refusal