There are many things we have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and through the more recent Mpox and Ebolavirus outbreaks. While national public health officials are preparing for the next pandemic through attempts at public funding increases, better communication pathways, and policy changes, healthcare facilities can do their part to be prepared. Lab considerations and understanding specific facility capabilities and functions are basic fundamentals, yet crucial to ensure facility preparedness for the next special pathogen outbreak.
- Consider your facility’s current readiness and response capabilities
- Identify criteria methods for infection control practices, patient placement, case reporting, and healthcare worker safety
- Develop strategies to correct deficiencies
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, resource development for facility preparedness has been on the rise and are continuing to be created as the need and obligation for preparedness increases. Below are a few resources available for assisting healthcare facility special pathogen preparedness.
- National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
Developed in response to the Ebolavirus disease outbreak in Uganda in September 2022
NETEC Health Care Facility Special Pathogen Preparedness Checklist
https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1724
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
Developed in response to increased demand of preparedness to the world’s emerging public health threats
Frontline Hospital Planning Guide: Special Pathogens https://hhinternet.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/2019/07/NYCHH-Frontline-Hospital-Planning-Guide.pdf
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Updated 2023 in response to special pathogen preparedness demands
Designing a Special Pathogens Protocol
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/topics/special-pathogens
Kara Marshall is a Program Manager for Education & Institutional Preparedness for the SPECTRE Program.
References
Frontline Hospital Planning Guide Special Pathogens:
Technical Resources. ASPR TRACIE. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2023, from
https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/technical-resources/resource/7132/frontline-hospital-planning-guide-special-pathogens
Netec. (n.d.). Health Care Facility Special Pathogen
Preparedness Checklist · Netec Resource Library. Omeka RSS. Retrieved
January 20, 2023, from https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1724
Special pathogens. Department of Public Health
& Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved January 20, 2023, from
https://cdphe.colorado.gov/topics/special-pathogens