About the NSPS
The National Special Pathogen System of Care
The National Special Pathogen System of Care (NSPS) is a coordinated health care network that readies the nation for special pathogen threats. The NSPS enables a more effective, equitable, and sustainable response to special pathogen threats.
View the NSPS Fact Sheet Visit the NSPS WebsiteNational Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
As one of the original components of the NSPS, the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s (NETEC) mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving promising practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.
NETEC comprises faculty and staff from the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, Emory University, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. All work diligently to share their knowledge with health care, EMS, and public health personnel through consultations, education, and research.
NETEC led the NSPS Strategy development and implementation to shape the future of special pathogen care coordination in the United States. Now, NETEC serves as the Coordinating Body providing enabling services to NSPS.
History of the NSPS
The 2014 outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa, the largest Ebola virus outbreak on record, prompted the U.S. to improve preparedness for and treatment of special pathogen patients. To ready the nation’s health care system, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) created the Regional Ebola Treatment Network (RETN) and the ASPR Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Ebola Preparedness and Response Activities cooperative agreement in FY 2015.
In 2020, ASPR transformed the RETN into the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) to broaden the system’s scope beyond Ebola virus to include other special pathogens such as COVID-19. The original NSPS included the following components:
- NETEC
- 10 RESPTCs*
- 62 Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) cooperative agreement recipients and their Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) (Formerly titled Ebola Treatment Centers)
- 53 state hospital associations
At the same time that the NSPS mounted a multifaceted response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also began the process of building a strategy to prepare the nation against future special pathogen threats, integrating insights from the COVID-19 pandemic into this longer-term vision. ASPR directed NETEC to lead development of the National Special Pathogen System of Care Strategy (NSPS Strategy). In 2022, ASPR further expanded regional special pathogen preparedness and response efforts by awarding three new RESPTCs, increasing the total to 13.
Scroll the timeline to view all notable events and milestones →
FY 2015
Regional Ebola Treatment Network (RETN)ASPR used emergency funding from Congress to establish the RETN and prepare the nation’s health system to identify, isolate, assess, transport, and treat patients with Ebola
ASPR transformed the RETN into the NSPS to include a stronger focus on other special pathogens, including COVID-19
FY 2020
2020-2021
NSPS StrategyTo incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 response, ASPR tasked the NETEC with creating the NSPS of Care Strategy
ASPR received additional funding to expand the number of RESPTCs
2022
2022+
NSPS Strategy ImplementationNETEC is implementing and operationalizing the NSPS of Care Strategy to create a sustained, standardized special pathogen System of Care that enables agile and high-quality care across the care delivery continuum
The Future of the NSPS
To incorporate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and shape the future of special pathogen preparedness, ASPR tasked NETEC with developing the NSPS Strategy and implementation plan.
The strategy’s mission is to provide a coordinated and standardized health care network of high-quality, patient- and community-centered care for patients suspected of or infected by a special pathogen in the United States, while protecting the health care workforce.
The strategy envisions a National Special Pathogen System of Care that will use public-private partnerships to strengthen health care response capabilities at the local, regional, and national levels for managing patients infected with special pathogens and/or large-scale outbreaks. The System of Care will include a tiered network of health care facilities designed to ensure prompt and equitable access. The Tiers will range from Level 1 (the most specialized) to Level 4 (the most accessible). NETEC will be the Coordinating Body for the System of Care, providing enabling services and support to the tiered facilities.
Read the NSPS Strategy Learn more about the System of CareNSPS Coordinating Body
NETEC, as the Coordinating Body, supports and operationalizes the Care Delivery Network and maintains connectivity with the broader NSPS in a decision making and advisory capacity.
NSPS Functions
To serve patients and communities
Standards & Guidance
Monitoring & Evaluation
Research & Data
Transport & Care Delivery
Comms & Coordination
Workforce & Training
Funding & Equity
NSPS System of Care
All Health Care Facilities
Assessment Centers
Treatment Centers
Specialized Care Facilities