ASPR tests biocontainment unit for transporting simulated patients with high-consequence infectious diseases to hospitals – American Hospital Association

Exercise on Transporting Patients with High-Consequence Infectious Diseases

Overview

On June 25, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) announced the successful completion of an exercise involving the transportation of simulated patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. This exercise utilized a new portable biocontainment unit to transfer patients from Toronto to U.S. hospitals located in the northeast and southeast regions.

Details of the Exercise

• The hospitals involved are designated as Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) specializing in highly infectious diseases.
• The portable biocontainment unit represents the first domestic resource designed for isolating and safely transporting patients with diseases such as Ebola over long distances.
• The unit is versatile and can be transported via air or ground, enhancing rapid response capabilities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The exercise supports the goal of ensuring healthy lives by improving preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
   • Enhances healthcare infrastructure and capacity to manage high-risk pathogens safely.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development and deployment of the portable biocontainment unit demonstrate innovation in healthcare technology and infrastructure.
   • Facilitates resilient health systems capable of responding to emerging health threats.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The cross-border collaboration between Canadian and U.S. health authorities exemplifies global partnerships essential for managing infectious diseases.
   • Strengthens international cooperation in health security and emergency preparedness.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on preparedness and response to infectious diseases, which directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development and deployment of a new portable biocontainment unit reflects innovation in health infrastructure and technology.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The collaboration between U.S. hospitals and cross-border transport from Toronto highlights international cooperation and partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020 (implied through technological innovation in health transport).
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for Target 3.d:
   • Number of countries with operational readiness capacities for health emergencies (implied by the establishment and use of Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers and biocontainment units).
2. Indicator for Target 9.c:
   • Proportion of population covered by a mobile network, or access to innovative health technologies (implied through the use of portable biocontainment units and transport technology).
3. Indicator for Target 17.16:
   • Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships and international collaborations established to address health emergencies (implied by cross-border patient transport and cooperation between U.S. hospitals and Canadian entities).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aha.org