The environment is an important system regarding the public health (Blais, 2015). When protected, the environment plays a role in improving public health, but when polluted, it can cause serious damage to the health of the people. Indeed, such is the with the water contamination in Flint Michigan. The case that brought to light by health care providers following a series of health problems indicates the negative health effects of lead contamination. Potential failure to ascertain the safety of the drinking water resulted in many cases of contamination-related health care emergencies (ABC News, 2016). In fact, the cases took a while before the cause was established at the hospital. Health problems, including skin infections and others, have led to a serious concern involving the use of the water.
The case has serious implications for the nursing profession. One of the implications is the importance of being cautious when confronted with a health problem, especially where the case at hand is not common. A high level of vigilance is critical in establishing an unusual cause of public health problems, raising the alarm, and thwarting a crisis. In the case of the lead poisoning, it emerges that the effects are irreversible (ABC News, 2016). Thus, timely identification of the problem is critical to preventing extensive damage. It might not be possible for the affected public to realize the cause of the problem, but health care providers can easily recognize the issue. Health care providers have a role in ensuring that people are living in a safe environment, which is free from such health care problems (Blais, 2015). In essence, they could also achieve this by educating the public on what to look out regarding factors placing their health at risk.
References
ABC News. (2016, Jan 22). How Flint, Michigan’s Contaminated Water Was Discovered. Retrieved on Feb. 01, 2016 from http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/flint-michigans-contaminated-water-discovered-36465271.
Blais, K. (2015). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives. Pearson.
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