More than 50 organizations – including the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center supported by members of UNMC’s Global Center for Health Security team – participated in a national exercise earlier this summer meant to test the safe transport of patients with a high consequence infectious disease.
On May 22, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services introduced a new Portable Biocontainment Unit to transport such patients. In April, UNMC received one of only two units in existence, with the intent to train others on its use.
The initiative, funded by the U.S. Administration of Strategic Preparedness and Response, marks the first domestic asset for isolating and transporting patients with contagious diseases to Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers using both ground and air transport.
The training exercise, called Tranquil Passport, spanned four days in late June.
It was aimed at evaluating existing plans, processes, procedures, authorities and capabilities, while utilizing the Portable Biocontainment Unit. The drill coordinated the transfer of an patient cluster from Canada to the United States, helping validate preparedness for global events, such as the upcoming 2026 FIFA Club Word Cup.
The exercise involved collaboration among local, state, federal, international and non-governmental partners, including Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers activations of Region 2 (New York City Health + Hospitals/Bellevue), Region 3 (MedStar Washington Hospital Center/ Children’s National/ Johns Hopkins Hospital), and Region 4 (Emory University/University of North Carolina/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta).
Said Chris Kratochvil, MD, vice chancellor of external relations for UNMC and vice president for external relations at the University of Nebraska System, “It is an honor and a privilege to collaborate with our federal partners on this critically important exercise. The exercise is particularly important as we work together on the growing transport mission aspects of our partnerships.”