Introduction: The Sudanvirus Disease outbreak in 2022 prompted our High-Risk Infection Team (HITeam) to evaluate and implement novel response strategies. To improve the flexibility and efficiency of special pathogens response, HITeam members developed a Virtual Assessment Model (VAM) for at-home evaluation of individuals suspected of having high-consequence infectious diseases (HCID). Methods: The VAM incorporates aspects of care, normally rendered in a high-level isolation unit (HLIU), into a mobile response framework where special pathogens clinicians are brought into an individual’s home. To address real-life VAM feasibility, a comprehensive residential functional exercise was executed. External evaluators were invited to assess the model. Results: The VAM allows for thorough assessment of a suspect case in the field and postponement of full HLIU activation until more information is available. Developing, testing, and implementing the VAM required input from an interdisciplinary group of partners, culminating in a functional exercise that demonstrated the ability of nurses, physicians, laboratorians, paramedics, and public health personnel to integrate into one cohesive care team. Even though participants in the exercise followed the model as described, feedback from participants and observers led to an alteration in the timing of the virtual visit to minimize the time of the on-site team inside a suspect case’s residence. Virtually obtaining history and performing preliminary environmental scan while the on-site team is preparing to deploy would optimize the on-site team’s workflow to focus on clinical assessment, sample collection, and delivery of care-package consisting of patient friendly information materials, thermometer, sphygmomanometer, and pulse-oximeter, which was identified as a must-do during the functional exercise. Conclusion: The VAM has long-term sustainability implications for global special pathogens programs and provides solutions for broader challenges in healthcare by role-modeling cost-effective, patient-centered care within the highly nuanced HCID care. Optimizing the model via exercises is key for its seamless real-life implementation.
Maria G. Frank (Sun,) studied this question.