Running simulations is an effective way to test preparedness for highly infectious disease threats. In recent weeks, The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) played a pivotal role in a national exercise, dubbed Tranquil Passport, that was the largest patient-movement simulation in the history of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  

JHH is a U.S. HHS-designated Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center – one of 13 in the country dedicated to the care of patients with high-consequence infectious diseases and the only one in Maryland. The scenario was designed to allow JHH and two treatment centers in Washington, D.C., to practice the international transfer of individuals exposed to a dangerous pathogen, similar to Ebola, using HHS’s newly developed portable biocontainment unit (PBCU). The new PBCU is the first U.S. system designed to safely isolate and transport patients with highly contagious diseases.

“This cutting-edge technology allows us to more quickly and safely transport patients to treatment centers in the U.S. for definitive care, while ensuring containment of the simulated highly infectious disease used in the exercise,” said HHS Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and ResponseJohn Knox. “Exercises like this are essential to testing our healthcare delivery systems and improving our ability to save lives and protect the health care workforce.”

Multi-Phase Drill

The drill began on Wednesday, June 25, at Dulles International Airport, where actors portraying patients with a novel viral hemorrhagic fever arrived from Toronto, Canada. The Johns Hopkins Lifeline Special Operations Response Team rehearsed the procedures for safely moving a patient from the portable biocontainment unit from a large aircraft to a Lifeline ambulance.

The drill included moving a patient from a portable biocontainment unit from an aircraft to a Lifeline ambulance. Image credit: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

The second phase of the drill took place on Thursday, June 26, at JHH, where the hospital’s Biocontainment Unit (BCU) team received and managed the simulated patients. Team members, made up of volunteers who work in departments across the hospital, followed protocols and used equipment as they would in a real-world scenario, to ensure safe admission and treatment following high-level biocontainment transport.

“This exercise was a powerful demonstration of what is possible when innovation, coordination, and expertise come together,” says Chris Sulmonte, administrative director of the BCU. “The success of the exercise reflects years of preparation and the unwavering dedication of our team. It’s a testament to our commitment to readiness and our ability to lead in moments of crisis.”

State-of-the-Art Facility

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, the BCU at JHH is internationally recognized as a leader in high-level isolation care. Supported by annual congressional funding through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Johns Hopkins Special Pathogen Center has become a national hub for clinical care, research, and training. 

The biocontainment unit is internationally recognized as a leader in high-level isolation care.

“Hosting this demonstration at Johns Hopkins underscores our commitment to being at the forefront of national preparedness,” said Redonda Miller, president of JHH. “Our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging infectious diseases is critical – not just for our patients, but for the broader public health system. This exercise highlights the vital role academic medical centers play in protecting our communities and advancing readiness on a national scale.”

This drill was part of a multi-agency, multi-hospital exercise involving more than 50 international, federal, state, and local partners. It simulated the coordinated movement of American patients with high-consequence infectious diseases to five U.S. regional treatment centers, including JHH in Baltimore.