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Rebuilding for Tomorrow’s Outbreak: The State of Special Pathogen Preparedness in the USA in the Wake of COVID-19

  • Healthcare Associated Infections (ME Doll and B Rittmann, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Special pathogens require unique planning care capabilities within healthcare facilities and can pose significant public health threats. Outbreaks have continued to emerge through the COVID-19 pandemic and serve as reminders of the need to have tiered levels of readiness and resources supporting all healthcare settings.

Recent Findings

Recent outbreaks of Marburg virus, Sudan virus, Lassa virus, and Nipah virus are examples of low-incidence pathogens that carry disproportionally high potential consequences for healthcare worker safety and public health. While the COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the potential impacts of emerging infectious diseases on communities, it has also introduced new challenges in hospital special pathogen preparations, including high staff turnover, high patient volumes, fatigue, and financial challenges.

Summary

All healthcare organizations must act to ensure they can promptly identify suspected special pathogen patients using the “identify, isolate, inform” paradigm. A subset of healthcare facilities networked across the nation must have higher level special pathogen capabilities to ensure access to high quality and safe care is available to all. Preparing for special pathogens involves use of non-traditional personal protective equipment (PPE), specialized PPE doffing protocols, and complex resources and protocols supporting laboratory testing and waste management. Because of known and persistent gaps in special pathogen readiness, the US healthcare system continues to invest in the development of the National Special Pathogens System supported by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

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J.F., A.B., J.G., J.C., and J.D.G. conceived the idea and outline of the article, performed literature review, and drafted the initial manuscript. J.F. provided edits and finalized the manuscript. P.B. and V.M. critically reviewed the work and provided feedback. All authors reviewed the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jade B. Flinn.

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The authors Jade Flinn, Jennifer Garland, Jennifer Cuzzolina, Paul Biddinger, Vikramjit Mukherjee, and Jonathan Grein receive salary support through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) grant “Regional Ebola and Other Special Pathogen Treatment Centers.” This is a federal grant that supports the National Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Education Center (NETEC) and the Regional Special Pathogens Treatment Center (RESPTC) programs.

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Flinn, J.B., Britton, A.D., Garland, J. et al. Rebuilding for Tomorrow’s Outbreak: The State of Special Pathogen Preparedness in the USA in the Wake of COVID-19. Curr Infect Dis Rep 25, 313–322 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-023-00821-9

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