Representatives from departments throughout YNHH met in January to discuss how the hospital handles patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. YNHH recently received a national award and grant to enhance its capacity to care for these types of patients.
A patient suspected to have Ebola comes to Yale New Haven Hospital’s Emergency Department. What happens next? Who is authorized to enter the patient’s room to care for them? Where do these clinicians don and doff personal protective equipment? How does the Lab receive the patient’s specimens? How is the patient transported, and to which unit? How is the ED room cleaned after the patient leaves?
These and other questions were discussed at a January meeting at YNHH that included physicians and nurses from different specialties and representatives from the Laboratory, Facilities, Environmental Services, Patient Transport and other departments.
The meeting was held as part of the national Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development (STAND) Award. YNHH recently received the award, which includes a $500,000 grant to enhance the hospital’s capacity to care for people with high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). These diseases are easily spread, have high long-term disability or mortality rates and limited treatment options.
“The STAND Award funding will strengthen our infrastructure and ensure our frontline teams can respond rapidly and effectively to outbreaks of dangerous pathogens,” said Katherine Heilpern, MD, YNHH president. “Nationally, 54 hospitals received the award, and it’s an honor to be part of this elite group working to advance preparedness and readiness.”
Administered by the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center in partnership with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the award is part of a strategic U.S. effort to bolster preparedness among Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers. The effort supports personnel training, simulation exercises, specialized equipment, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control improvements and emergency coordination protocols.
By integrating YNHH into the enhanced national network of Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, the STAND initiative aims to ensure communities have access to high-quality, timely care during public health emergencies.
“This grant empowers us to build on our existing infectious disease expertise and collaboration with regional public health partners,” said David Calfee, MD, chief epidemiologist, Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS). “It enables critical advancements in protocols, training and patient care practices – ultimately strengthening our ability to protect both patients and our community.”
