Operation Tranquil Passport: Lessons in Biocontainment and Patient Transport

Session Description: This panel presentation will provide a multi-institutional look at the lessons learned from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR) Operation Tranquil Passport full-scale exercise, which involved the safe transport of patients with a high-consequence infectious disease (HCID). Panel experts from Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) will share their unique experiences during the four-day multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency exercise.
The panel will focus on the most critical infection prevention and control (IPC) vulnerabilities identified, including waste management, personal protective equipment (PPE) management in a confined environment, and the unique IPC considerations for pediatric care. We will discuss inter-agency communication and collaboration, focusing on the development of protocols to bridge gaps between multiple jurisdictions, transport teams, and receiving hospitals. In addition, we will examine our experiences with the novel Portable Biocontainment Unit (PBCU) and the new opportunities it presents for domestic transport of HCID patients.
Infection Preventionists will gain a clear understanding of their critical role from the initial planning stages through debriefing and after-action reporting. We will share approaches for utilizing qualitative and quantitative data to drive continuous quality improvement efforts to ultimately yield a robust response plan. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their facility’s preparedness efforts and collaborative partnerships.

Natalie Schnell

Infection Prevention Nurse Educator, UNC Health

Natalie Schnell, MPH, BSN, RN, RN-BC, CIC is an Infection Prevention Nurse Educator at UNC Hospitals' Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Center (RESPTC) in Chapel Hill, NC. Drawing on her experience as a bedside nurse in pulmonary and infectious diseases, Natalie transitioned to Infection Prevention in 2018. She now focuses on developing and implementing robust programs for healthcare worker readiness and professional development, ensuring frontline healthcare workers are prepared for the most challenging threats. Natalie holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences from North Carolina State University, a B.S.N. from North Carolina Central University, and an M.P.H. with a focus on Leadership from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Diana Toney

Clinical Program Manager, Special Care Unit, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Diana's career in nursing has been marked by innovation and leadership. Diana is known for her results-driven approach and collaborative leadership style, and she excels in project strategy, management, and process improvement. She has driven sustainable improvements in patient care, efficiency, and outcomes in pedatric Emergency Department, Liver Transplant and Physican Practice Operations. Outside of her professional endeavors, Diana enjoys traveling and hiking.

Sharon Carrasco

Clinical Professor, Emory University

Sharon Vanairsdale Carrasco is a Clinical Professor in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She is the Director and Principal Investigator for Emory’s Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center in Atlanta, GA. Carrasco is also the Director of Education for the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center, a training program to prepare healthcare workers to safely and effectively manage patients with special pathogens. She is a fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nurses and the American Academy of Nursing as well as a Distinguished Fellow in the National Academies of Practice.

Brooke Brewer

Program Manager, Infection Prevention, UNC Health

Brooke Brewer is a Program Manager for UNC Hospitals’ Special Pathogen Response Center (SPARC), one of thirteen Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) sites, at UNC Health. With >18 years of experience as a registered nurse at UNC Health, with a background in critical care, nursing leadership, and Infection Prevention, Brooke brings extensive expertise in infection prevention and emergency preparedness.

Austin Penna

Epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Austin R. Penna, MPH, CIC, is an Epidemiologist in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In his role, he provides support to health departments, healthcare facilities, and other federal partners in the investigation of suspected outbreaks involving healthcare-associated infections and infection control breaches across healthcare settings. He also serves as the CDC Liaison for the APIC Annual Conference Committee.