Discussion 1 (300 words with 2-3 credible references cited in APA)

You have been hired as Assistant Manager of a Home Health Care Agency. The agency offers a wide range of skilled medical services such as nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy from qualified medical professionals. The agency also provides home health aide services including assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing and eating.

Your supervisor told you that she recently received a call from an advocate whom an employee consulted via the Employee Assistance Program because the employee felt that she had been treated unfairly after contracting an illness. She explained that a few months ago, one of your agency's home health aides, Sara, became ill. Sara had been coughing for approximately six weeks, lost weight without trying, had no appetite, was having difficulty sleeping, and had an intermittent fever. She became concerned and went to see a healthcare professional who diagnosed her with active tuberculosis (TB).

Sara missed a lot of time from work while completing treatment for TB. Her physician cleared her to return to work after she was no longer contagious. Upon returning to work, Sara felt isolated because her boss and co-workers refused to spend time with her. She heard that someone from the agency's Human Resources Department told her co-workers her diagnosis. The stressful circumstances at work became even worse when another home health aide started to display the same symptoms Sara had.

Your supervisor has asked you to review the entire situation and how it was handled by the agency. Now, outline the first three things/steps you will do as you begin your investigation. For example, will you begin by doing some research about the disease? Or would you begin by interviewing Sara? Would you interview someone at the agency? If so, who? Or would you do something else? Please explain your rationale.

Discussion 2 (300 words with 2-3 credible references cited in APA)

I live in Seattle.

1. How does the municipality in which you live ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act?

2. Does your city/town report on water quality annually?

3. Are you able to locate a copy of a recent water quality report for your city/town via the Internet?

4. How safe do you believe the water from your household tap to be?

5. On what evidence do you base this assessment?