NBU | RESPTC
The Region VII Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) is located within University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. As the RESPTC for the Region VII area, the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit is prepared to care for patients with highly hazardous communicable infectious diseases and has committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise by providing educational offerings. The education is delivered in multiple formats such as courses, webinars, videos, and zoom conversations with experts on relevant topics.
About the NBU
Overview
The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit (NBU), a collaborative project between Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, was dedicated in 2005. As a result of federal funding aimed at infectious disease preparedness, the NBU was established to provide safe treatment and care for patients infected with special pathogens. Dr. Julie Gerberding, then Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dedicated the unit.
In 2015, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (formerly Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response), or ASPR and the CDC established the Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTC) network to enhance the nation's capability to provide safe care for patients infected with special pathogens. The NBU was selected as one of ten health departments and associated partner hospitals to become special regional treatment centers for patients with Ebola or other severe, highly infectious diseases. Serving as the RESPTC for HHS Region VII, the NBU team has prepared, trained, and drilled for over 18 years to establish safe strategies for caring for patients with special pathogen illnesses. Even during periods when the NBU is not actively caring for such patients, the team maintains operational readiness.
The NBU is designed for safe and effective treatment of patients infected with highly hazardous communicable diseases (e.g., viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola virus disease and Lassa fever, smallpox, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [MERS]), whether acquired in a laboratory accident, as a natural occurring infection, or in a bioterrorism attack.
This 10-bed unit cared for three patients infected with Ebola during the 2014 outbreak, as well as COVID-19 patients in 2020. The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit features negative-air flow with a HEPA air filtration system, a pressurized entrance and decontamination autoclaves to ensure security and safety for both staff and community. The NBU has an on-site lab, and is in close proximity to the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory. It was one of three go-to sites nationwide for the U.S. Department of State in 2014.
The NBU team is an all-volunteer, interdisciplinary group that has been hailed internationally for its bravery and professionalism. When, in 2014, many were fearful of treating patients with Ebola, this team relied on its specialized training while setting the global standard in best practices for dealing with high-consequence infections. President Barack Obama praised the team for delivering “world-class care.” The team continues its ongoing training regimen.
NBU Core Features
- Five double-occupancy rooms.
- In-unit mobile satellite BSL-3 laboratory for clinical and special pathogen analysis.
- Audio Visual Equipment enables two-way communications and staff observation.
- Two effluent passthrough autoclaves for Category A waste inactivation.
- Gradient negative pressure and dual-fan redundancy.
- HEPA filtered exhaust air.
- Established workflows address pathogen transmission modes.
- Enhanced Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with safe donning and doffing processes.
We hope you will find these offerings interesting and use them to enhance your own preparedness. If you have any education-related topic suggestions, questions, or need any assistance, please email the RESPTC at nbu@nebraskamed.com.
NBU Support Services
The Nebraska Biocontainment Unit (NBU) serves Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri as the Region VII Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC). The NBU is one of the founding members of the National Emerging Special Pathogen Training & Education Center (NETEC) and part of the UNMC Global Center for Health Security (GCHS) Biological Specialty Team.
As such, the NBU is available for Consultation on High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) preparedness to Region VII healthcare agencies and can provide no-cost in-person or virtual technical assistance.