NETEC and RESPTCs in Action at APIC 2025

Special Pathogen Preparedness on Display in Phoenix

At this year’s APIC 2025 conference, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) and Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) brought their collective expertise to the forefront—sharing practical tools, research, and training strategies to strengthen national preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs).

Solution Circle: Special Pathogen Preparedness in Practice

In a well-attended Solution Circle session, “Special Pathogen Preparedness: Identify-Isolate-Inform Strategies,” Caroline Croyle Persson, MPH, MPA, CIC, PMP, FAPIC (Denver Health/Region 8 RESPTC) and Patricia Ann Tennill, RN, BSN (NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue/Region 2 RESPTC), shared expert insights into applying the new Joint Commission infection control standards. Attendees received practical guidance and tools to strengthen their HCID response systems, with a focus on early identification, safe isolation, and timely public health communication.

Caroline Croyle Persson, Co-Chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Workgroup for NETEC and Program Director of Disaster Health at Denver Health and Patricia Ann Tennill, Co-Chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Workgroup for NETEC and Director of Nursing in the Special Pathogens Program at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, present at the NETEC Solution Circle, “Special Pathogen Preparedness: Identify-Isolate-Inform Strategies.” The session offered practical guidance on meeting new Joint Commission standards and improving frontline HCID readiness.

Frontline Readiness: Joint Commission Standards in Action

Cassie Prather, MPH, Clinical Educator, and Christa Arguinchona, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, Program Manager for the Special Pathogens Unit and Rapid Response Team—both from Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital (Region 10 RESPTC)—presented “Identify, Isolate, and Inform: Applying Joint Commission Standards for Special Pathogens.” Their session combined didactic instruction with hands-on education to support frontline teams in translating policy into practice.

Cassie Prather, member of the IPC workgroup at NETEC, and Christa Arguinchona, co-chair of the BCU workgroup at NETEC, lead a presentation on “Identify, Isolate, and Inform: Applying Joint Commission Standards for Special Pathogens.” Their session blended didactic content and hands-on training to build capacity at the frontline level.

Poster Presentation: Staff Monitoring After Exposure

Arianna Boshara, MPH, Project Coordinator with the High-Risk Infection Team at Denver Health, presented a poster on “Biocontainment Unit Staff Monitoring Subsequent to Suspected or Confirmed Special Pathogen Exposure.” The study highlights monitoring protocols to protect healthcare workers following potential high-risk exposures in specialized care environments.

Arianna Boshara presents a poster on “Biocontainment Unit Staff Monitoring Subsequent to Suspected or Confirmed Special Pathogen Exposure.” The study outlines key monitoring practices following potential exposures in biocontainment settings.

At the Booth: Resources, Connections, and Collaboration

NETEC’s presence at the exhibit booth provided an opportunity for infection prevention professionals to engage with national leaders in special pathogen preparedness. Team members shared newly released resources and answered questions on training, clinical protocols, and consulting services. The booth also served as a hub for cross-regional collaboration among RESPTC colleagues.