Nurses Trained in Special Pathogens Keep Communities Safe
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National Nurses Week is an opportunity to celebrate nurses who provide compassionate care along every step of a patient’s health care journey. NETEC is proud to name among its ranks of subject matter experts the nurses who work in special pathogen units (SPUs) and biocontainment units (BCUs) at the 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTCs). While every nurse deserves our thanks, NETEC is particularly grateful for the nurses who commit to specialty training in SPUs and BCUs. Their preparation and readiness to respond to special pathogens keeps health care workers and communities safe.
This week, we asked the RESPTCs to share their thoughts about what they appreciate about the nurses in their units. Here’s what they said.
Corewell Health System
The Special Pathogens Unit (SPU) at Corewell Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is one of three new Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) that joined NETEC last year. Corewell Health has united with longstanding RESPTC University of Minnesota Medical Center in supporting state and local health care organizations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin—the U.S. Health and Human Services dedicated Region V. The SPU leadership includes Nurse Manager Lauren Nichol, MSN, RN; RESPTC Program Manager Tim Scholten, MHA, BSN, RN; and staff nurses Allie, RN, Taylor RN, and Emily, RN.
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital
The Special Pathogens Team at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital is thankful for the nurses that go above and beyond to train with them. These amazing individuals bring their expertise, energy, and compassion to every training and exercise and are committed to providing high-quality care in the event of an activation.
Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Biocontainment Unit (BCU) nurses willingly step into a role that few dare to assume yet has great impact on the safety of patients and the team around them. These nurses shape the plans and strategies of the hospital’s special pathogens preparedness and the BCU’s capacity for rapid activation relies heavily on their resolute commitment to the unit’s mission. Organizational leaders look to the BCU nurses for their expertise because they rise to every challenge and continue to deliver outstanding care.
University of Nebraska Medical Center / Nebraska Medicine
The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit at the Region VII RESPTC is grateful for the biocontainment unit nurses who have dedicated many hours to train and prepare to care for patients with a special pathogen disease. These nurses exhibit a willingness and courage to be on the front lines caring for patients and defending communities from diseases that many would avoid.
NYC Health + Hospitals | Bellevue
The Special Pathogens Nursing Team highlights the dedication and hard work of all nurses on the Bellevue Health + Hospitals Nursing Team. This team not only is involved in care of patients in the Special Pathogens Unit, but also those in the Emergency Ward, Labor and Delivery, and Ambulatory Care units. Nurses within and outside of the Special Pathogens Unit are dedicated to early identification and isolation of patients with suspected special pathogen infections. It is a great honor to educate and work side by side with these nurses as they protect not only their Bellevue colleagues but the community that they live in.
Learn more about the Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers.