Scenario-Based Collaboration: Identifying the Role of the NSW Biocontainment Centre in the Response to High Consequence Infectious Diseases

Introduction: The New South Wales (NSW) Biocontainment Centre (NBC) is the first high-level isolation unit in Australia. This state-wide referral facility, located at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, will provide care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs), including viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF). In preparation, a tabletop exercise key stakeholders was held to introduce and socialize NBC’s capacity support NSW’s preparedness management of patient HCID. Method: Invitations were provided within Hospital (facility executive, emergency ICU services, security, switchboard); NSW Preparedness Response Branch; retrieval services; peripheral hospitals; pediatric hospital network; Public health units (state district). scenario presented an unwell suspected VHF arriving department. Discussion during four-hour long facilitated directed questions injects, recorded. Recommendations learnings from debrief opportunities enhance current response assumptions. Results: Forty-five people participated both face-to-face virtually. Participant discussion showed increasing appreciation presentations any part system available assistance. included: enhanced access NBC direct “1-800 number”, coordination communication, treatment, transport, if required, deployment team sites. Areas future collaborative work identified. Conclusion: successfully achieved collaboration develop updated, comprehensive robust plan HCID NSW, regardless their presentation site. It has created opportunity brainstorm optimize how can interact other agencies maximize response.