Hands-On Readiness: NETEC and Region 6 RESPTC Host Special Pathogens Training in San Antonio
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On April 17, 2025, more than 35 healthcare and public health professionals convened in San Antonio, Texas, for an intensive full-day, in-person training designed to strengthen frontline readiness for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). Hosted by NETEC and SPECTRE at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) — the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) for Health and Human Services Region 6, this course brought together participants from National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 2–4 facilities and other healthcare settings to build knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing special pathogen events.
Building Core Competencies for HCID Response
This interdisciplinary course focused on the real-world application of best practices across the “Identify, Isolate, Inform” framework. Participants explored how to accurately recognize, isolate, and report suspected HCID cases, while also initiating care and coordinating with essential response partners. Through case-based learning and practical scenarios, the training highlighted the need for rapid coordination across multiple role groups — from clinicians and infection preventionists to lab staff, environmental services, and emergency management.
Key Learning Areas Included
- Adult Care & Clinical Management
Participants reviewed current pathogen-specific trends and reinforced the importance of universal patient screening for symptoms and exposure history. Faculty emphasized that most suspected cases may not result in confirmed HCID, but all patients require timely and appropriate care, and encouraged maintaining a broad differential diagnosis and relying on supportive care while awaiting test results. - PPE Practices
Hands-on sessions reinforced safe and effective donning and doffing techniques, the importance of defined clean/contaminated zones, and how trained observers can enhance safety during patient care and PPE removal. Attendees were reminded that effective PPE is not only protective but also practical—available, wearable, and usable without impeding care. - Waste Management
Minimizing and safely handling Category A waste continues to be a major theme in the care of patients with HCIDs. Participants reviewed strategies for redundant bagging and bag closure techniques closing at the point of origin, preparing transport containers, and collaborating with waste vendors to ensure proper removal and destruction of infectious materials.
Why This Matters
The San Antonio course underscored the critical role of all healthcare facilities in national HCID preparedness and response efforts. Whether dealing with a suspected case of viral hemorrhagic fever, a lab-confirmed outbreak of an emerging pathogen, or coordinating with public health partners during an unknown event, the skills taught in this training help ensure a safer, more effective response.
By investing in scenario-based, hands-on learning, NETEC and the RESPTCs are helping healthcare teams across the NSPS stay ready—not just in theory, but in action.
“I thought this conference was well done. The presenters were friendly, approachable, realistic, and willing to share their expertise and knowledge. I plan to use this information in my work environment to improve our preparedness for an outbreak event. I am happy to give this conference an A+.”
Stay tuned for more courses coming this spring and summer as NETEC continues its 2025 training series across the country. Next up, NETEC will be in San Francisco on June 10, 2025, for an in-person course co-hosted with Cedars-Sinai, the RESPTC for Region 9.
About the Authors
Sharon Vanairsdale Carrasco, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, NP-C, CEN, FAEN, FAAN, FNAP, is an Associate Professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She is the Director for Emory’s Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center in Atlanta, GA. Carrasco is also the Director of Education for the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, a training program to prepare healthcare workers to safely and effectively manage patients with special pathogens. She is a fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nurses and the American Academy of Nursing as well as a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.
Stefanie Lane, MS, MPH, NREMT, serves as a Biothreats Program Manager within the MGH Center for Disaster Medicine. In this role, she ensures operational readiness of the special pathogens program, spearheads the development of novel educational modalities (including XR/VR) for high-risk low frequency events, and serves as a SME/liaison between the EMS and healthcare facilities. Stefanie has an extensive background in education and has designed and facilitated a wide variety of training courses. She has eighteen years of experience as an Emergency Medical Technician, where she has served as a training coordinator and board member for ambulance services in Vermont. Stefanie completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Vermont, and holds Masters degrees in Environmental Science & Policy from Johns Hopkins University and Public Health from Harvard University.
Patricia Ann Tennill RN, BSN, is the Director of Nursing in Staff Development and the nursing lead for the NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue Special Pathogens Program. Patricia has been involved with the Special Pathogens Program since 2014 as a nurse leader responsible for coordinating and overseeing all nursing operations on the Special Pathogens Unit, including the development of protocols concerning the movement and care of patients with special pathogens and the subsequent hands-on training for all staff involved in the Special Pathogens Program.