Lessons from Recent BCU Activations: From Identification to Deactivation in Region 8 Disaster Health

Real-world special pathogen activations provide valuable opportunities to evaluate preparedness plans, identify operational gaps, and strengthen coordination across healthcare and public health systems. In this session, Adam Beitscher, MD, Medical Director of the Region 8 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC), will review two recent activations of Denver Health’s Biocontainment Unit involving patients with travel histories and clinical presentations concerning for high-consequence infectious diseases. Through these case studies, Dr. Beitscher will highlight lessons learned across patient identification and notification, specialized transport, diagnostic and confirmatory testing, specimen shipping, interagency communication, caregiver and visitation considerations, and BCU operations. Participants will gain practical insights into the complexities of managing suspected special pathogen patients and opportunities to strengthen preparedness for future activations.