About the NSPS

NSPS History & Background

In 2015, due to the global surge in Ebola virus disease cases, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) established the National Ebola Training and Education Center, the Regional Ebola Treatment Network (RETN), and the Regional Ebola and other Special Pathogen Treatment Centers to provide coordinated care in response to Ebola. State-based Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) and Assessment Centers were also added in 2016 to provide more access to care facilities.

The National Ebola Training and Education Center rebranded in 2019 to provide a more robust special pathogen role to become the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC). The RETN eventually rebranded to become the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS). The Regional Ebola Treatment Centers also rebranded to become the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs).

Evolution of the NSPS

ASPR partnered with NETEC to expand and develop a National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) strategy. Implementation of the Strategy is in progress and is led by NETEC today.

Read the initial NSPS strategy

Components of the System

Coordinating Body (NETEC)

H.R.2617 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 “directs NETEC to serve as the NSPS coordinating body… [responsible for] establishing a robust NSPS and integrating NSPS with other health care delivery systems of care for emergencies…”

In this role, NETEC provides resources to NSPS members in:

Communication and coordination,
Standards and guidance,
Training and education,
Research and knowledge sharing
Monitoring and evaluation, and
Data and technology.

National Special Pathogen System

Level 1 facilities, or Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs), are regional resource hubs which provide highly specialized care. Level 1s care for patients for their duration of illness.

Level 2 facilities, or Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs), have the capacity to deliver specialized care to clusters of patients and serve as primary patient care delivery centers. Level 2 facilities can care for patients for their duration of illness.

Level 3 facilities, or Assessment Centers, are widely accessible care delivery facilities, able to conduct limited basic laboratory testing, stabilize patients, and coordinate rapid patient transfer. Level 3s can care for patients for 12-36 hours.

Level 4 facilities, or All Other Healthcare Facilities, can identify, isolate, inform, & initiate stabilizing medical care; protect staff; and arrange timely patient transport to minimize impact to normal facility operations.

Strategic Partners

The NSPS forms partnerships across the public and private sectors to strengthen its ability to provide care for patients and communities and handle large-scale outbreaks at the local, regional, and national levels. Partners of the NSPS may serve readiness, response and recovery roles in a special pathogen event.

Healthcare Facility Providers identify, isolate, and inform when patients suspected or infected with a special pathogen present at their facility
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) support transport of patients suspected or infected with a special pathogen
Government Agency Leaders monitor the situation, activate federal, state, local, and territorial resources, and provide situational guidance
Public Health Policy Experts disseminate guidance based on rapidly changing situations

NSPS Leadership

As the Coordinating Body, NETEC’s leaders, particularly the NSPS Executive Director, play a critical role in the success of NSPS implementation. The NSPS Steering Committee provides governance and oversight as the NSPS expands and grows its capabilities.

Shelly Schwedhelm (Region 7) serves as the NSPS Executive Director from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The role of the Executive Director is to provide guidance and leadership as the NSPS evolves but also to work in close collaboration with NETEC leaders and members of the RESPTC healthcare facilities to ready the nation for special pathogen events.