Medical teams in Atlanta train on new portable infectious disease unit – Atlanta News First

Introduction of Portable Biocontainment Unit in Atlanta

A new innovation in patient transport for highly infectious diseases has arrived in Atlanta, aiming to enhance healthcare preparedness and response capabilities. Medical staff are currently undergoing training to operate this advanced system, known as the Portable Biocontainment Unit (PBCU), which supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being.

Overview of the Portable Biocontainment Unit (PBCU)

Design and Functionality

• The PBCU is described as an “ambulance on steroids” by Dr. Andi Shane, Medical Director of Hospital Epidemiology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
• Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the unit can be attached to tractor-trailers or planes for patient transport.
• It is capable of transporting patients with highly infectious diseases such as Ebola to one of the 13 specialized biocontainment treatment centers nationwide.
• The unit can accommodate up to 10 patients sitting or fewer if patients require lying down due to severe symptoms.

Significance for Healthcare Accessibility

Dr. Gavin Harris, Associate Medical Director for Emory’s Serious Communicable Diseases Unit, emphasized the PBCU’s role in expanding healthcare access, particularly in regions lacking nearby biocontainment facilities. This advancement aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by improving equitable access to critical healthcare services across diverse geographic areas.

Training and Preparedness Efforts

Importance of Training

1. Medical teams from Emory Hospital and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are undergoing rigorous training on the PBCU to ensure readiness.
2. Training is part of a nationwide exercise called “Tranquil Passport,” involving over 50 organizations and starting in Canada.
3. Preparedness is critical for national security and effective response to infectious disease outbreaks, supporting SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Lessons from COVID-19 and Ebola

• The PBCU’s design incorporates lessons learned from the early COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing treatment capabilities for highly infectious diseases.
• Successful treatment of Ebola patients in 2014 was attributed to trained healthcare teams, underscoring the importance of continuous training.

Impact on Patient Care and Family Support

• The PBCU allows both children and adults to be treated together, enabling families to remain united during transport, which was not possible previously.
• This innovation enhances the quality of care by allowing patients to receive treatment en route to definitive care facilities, directly supporting SDG 3.
• Dr. Shane highlights this as a major upgrade in patient transport and care, improving outcomes and patient experience.

Technological and Ethical Advancements

Dr. Harris noted that the PBCU represents a paradigm shift from merely isolating infectious patients to actively treating them during transport, emphasizing the human dignity of patients. This approach supports SDG 3 by promoting health and well-being through compassionate care.

Conclusion

The introduction and training of the Portable Biocontainment Unit in Atlanta mark a significant advancement in the healthcare system’s ability to manage highly infectious diseases. This initiative contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals by improving health outcomes, reducing inequalities in healthcare access, and strengthening institutional preparedness for public health emergencies.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving healthcare response to highly 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 the Portable Biocontainment Unit (PBCU) represent innovation in healthcare infrastructure and technology.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights expanding healthcare access to people in non-metropolitan and underserved areas, addressing inequalities in healthcare availability.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Preparedness and response to infectious diseases contribute to national security and resilient institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.3: End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including healthcare technology.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, or geographic location.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels, including health emergency preparedness and response systems.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections, tuberculosis incidence, malaria incidence, and other communicable diseases incidence (implied by focus on infectious diseases like Ebola and COVID-19).
   • Indicator 3.d.1: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness (implied by training exercises and preparedness initiatives).
2. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Indicator 9.5.1: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP and number of researchers per million inhabitants (implied by development and deployment of the PBCU technology).
3. SDG 10 Indicators
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities (implied by improving access to healthcare in underserved areas).
4. SDG 16 Indicators
   • Indicator 16.6.2: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services (implied by enhanced healthcare response and training for infectious disease emergencies).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: atlantanewsfirst.com