VHF Preparedness Checklist: The First Step Toward Special Pathogen Readiness
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In the latest episode of “Transmission Interrupted,” host Jill Morgan, RN, a nurse and member of the Serious Communicable Diseases Program at Emory University and co-chair of the NETEC PPE Workgroup, sits down with Angela Vasa, RN, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Special Pathogen Programs at Nebraska Medicine and Director of Readiness Consultations and Metrics Development at NETEC. Together, they discuss the Healthcare Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Preparedness Checklist and how it can help institutions prepare for high-consequence infectious diseases.
Why Focus on VHFs?
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) refer to a group of life-threatening illnesses caused by several families of viruses. They can cause multi-organ damage and symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and internal or external bleeding. Diseases such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), Lassa Fever, and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) fall into this category.
Because of their severity and potential for person-to-person transmission, early identification and isolation are crucial to prevent spread within healthcare settings and communities.
The Importance of Preparedness
Preparedness is no longer optional. In July 2024, The Joint Commission added standard IC 07.01.01 to its infection control chapter, requiring accredited healthcare facilities to have processes in place for managing high-consequence infectious diseases. Patients don’t wait for your facility to be ready before they present—readiness must be the default.
In October 2024, an Iowa resident died from Lassa fever after returning from West Africa. The patient was treated in isolation but passed away shortly after diagnosis. This rare but serious case highlights the need for all healthcare facilities to be prepared to quickly identify, isolate, and inform—no matter how uncommon the disease may be in the U.S.
What is the VHF Preparedness Checklist?
Developed by NETEC, the Healthcare Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Preparedness Checklist is a practical tool aligned with both Joint Commission requirements and NETEC’s standards for readiness. It supports the Identify-Isolate-Inform framework and is structured to be:
- Approachable for any healthcare worker working at any point of entry
- Customizable for any special pathogen or infectious disease
- Scalable for facilities of all sizes
The checklist evaluates key elements such as personnel, PPE, isolation procedures, treatment and care, waste management, and transportation—some of the most stringent and critical components in special pathogen readiness.
While the tool is VHF-specific in name, it’s designed to support preparedness for any special pathogen, respiratory viruses, and even re-emerging threats like measles.
How to Use the Checklist
The tool serves dual purposes:
- Advance Planning Tool: Intended to guide facilities through a review of their immediate care capabilities and provide resources to fill preparedness gaps.
- Just-in-Time Resource: Use it in real time when a suspected special pathogen case presents at your facility.
The checklist takes 15–30 minutes to complete and is available as an online form or a fillable PDF. Users are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues across departments as needed and then submit the online form to help NETEC get a better understanding of national preparedness for special pathogens.
If any gaps in preparedness are identified through the completion of this checklist, NETEC is available to provide targeted support services to offer expert advice. Additionally, NETEC coordinates with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) to respond to submissions. This process helps strengthen regional coordination and fosters valuable relationships between facilities and their designated RESPTCs—ensuring a more connected, responsive approach to special pathogen preparedness.
Who Should Complete the Checklist?
This tool is intended for various healthcare professionals, including infection preventionists, emergency department nurses, quality leads, and anyone involved in readiness planning. The checklist serves as a resource for these individuals to ensure their facilities are prepared for handling infectious threats effectively. You don’t need to be the “official” point person to begin the checklist. If you’re motivated to help your facility prepare, this tool is for you.
Connecting with the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS)
Completing the checklist is more than a compliance step—it’s your facility’s first move toward enhanced preparedness and strengthens our national capacity to provide comprehensive, high-quality special pathogen care through the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS).
Facilities that use the checklist gain:
- Access to NETEC’s resources and expert guidance
- Alignment with national preparedness standards
- A clear roadmap for improving response capabilities
Begin Your Journey Today
Completing the VHF Preparedness Checklist sets your facility on the path to a stronger, faster, and more coordinated response to infectious disease threats.
For a more in-depth assessment of your special pathogen program, we recommend the NETEC Special Pathogen Operational Readiness Self-Assessment (SPORSA).
For more insightful discussions and resources, stay tuned to “Transmission Interrupted,” where we guide you through the ins and outs of special pathogen preparedness and ensure your healthcare institution is always one step ahead.
Resources for Health Care Personnel
Healthcare Facility Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Preparedness Checklist
Special Pathogen Operational Readiness Self-Assessment (SPORSA)
About the Experts
Jill Morgan, RN, is a nurse at Emory University Hospital. She has been on Emory’s biocontainment team for over 15 years, where she has cared for patients with Ebola virus disease and Lassa fever. Jill is co-lead for the PPE working group for NETEC and has recently been appointed to the National Academies Committee on Personal Protective Equipment and Workplace Safety and Health.
Angela Vasa, MSN, RN, is the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Special Pathogen Programs at Nebraska Medicine. She serves as the Director of Consulting Services and Metrics Development at NETEC and is the Program Director for the Region VII Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center. Angela is also a scholar in the Global Center for Health Security at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Her nursing background includes over a decade of clinical experience with specialized expertise in the areas of trauma, critical care, solid organ transplant, and high-consequence infectious diseases. She joined the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit team in 2009 where she has cared for patients with Ebola virus disease and Lassa Fever and continues to be an active clinical member while serving as the program director.