Ebola Q&A for Health Care Workers
Participants on the “NETEC Town Hall: Preparing Frontline Healthcare Workers for Ebola” webinar submitted questions to our subject matter experts. Many of the questions were answered during the event, however the remaining questions have been answered by our experts below. While many answers are universal, some responses are based on the practices within a particular institution that supports NETEC. If you have additional questions, please contact our support services group by filling out this form.
Q&As:
About the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS)
The NSPS consists of a tiered System of Care, made up of health care facilities across the country, and is operationalized by the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) as its Coordinating Body. The mission of the NSPS is to develop a coordinated network of high-quality special pathogen care dedicated to protecting patients, communities, and the health care workforce in the United States.
Special pathogens pose a grave threat to the nation’s health, economy, and national security. The Ebola virus disease outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic created an urgent need to address gaps and inefficiencies in our existing national infrastructure for special pathogens.
Prioritize equity so 100% of the U.S. population has access to high-quality special pathogen care; create a rapid coordinated response to mobilize the System of Care within two hours; and deliver safe, high-quality care aiming for zero preventable deaths from a special pathogen infection.
The System of Care is designed as a “hub-and-spoke” model where “hubs” (Level 1s) provide supporting services to “spokes” (Level 2-4s) within their regions.
Level 1 or Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) serve as care facilities for patients suspected or confirmed to have High-Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID). RESPTCs also provide regional coordination, outreach, and resources.
- Level 2 or Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) have the capacity to deliver specialized care to clusters of patients suspected of or infected by a special pathogen and serve as primary patient care delivery centers.
- Level 3 or Assessment Centers are widely accessible care delivery facilities, able to conduct limited basic laboratory testing, stabilize the patient and coordinate rapid patient transfer to a Level 1 or 2 facility to minimize impact to normal facility operations.
Level 4 or All Other Healthcare Facilities can identify, isolate, inform, and initiate stabilizing medical care; protect staff; and arrange timely transport to minimize impact to facility operations.
NETEC was designated by Congress as the Coordinating Body of the NSPS and helps to coordinate and convene System of Care facilities and provides services to facilities such as education, training, technical assistance, and assessment. In addition, NETEC supports response and coordination efforts as requested.
Through a symbiotic relationship, NETEC coordinates—and the System of Care delivers—care. Together, they help prepare for, protect against, and respond to special pathogens.