iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A 2026 CDC report found that 29 of 73 unannounced patient-actor drills (39.7%) did not meet the exercise’s combined success measure: the simulated patient had to be both masked and isolated. The other 44 drills (60.3%) achieved both, regardless of how quickly staff acted. These results describe participating sites in New Jersey, New York and the U.S. Virgin Islands—not 40% of all health facilities in those places.
What the “40% failed” result means
The CDC’s October 1, 2026 report counted 73 drills. In 44, the actor was both masked and isolated; in 29, at least one of those two steps did not happen. The combined measure did not require staff to meet the separate time targets. A drill could therefore count as a success even if masking or isolation took longer than the target.
The word “patient-zero” is shorthand, not a description of an actual case. Each exercise used a patient actor portraying a person who might have an infectious disease. No real H5 infection or outbreak was tested.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteHow the patient-actor drills worked
The New York University Standardized Patient Program conducted unannounced drills from January through June 2026 in emergency departments, hospital outpatient clinics and urgent care centers. The 73 drills covered 69 facilities or settings. The distribution was 52 in New York City, 15 elsewhere in New York, three in New Jersey and three in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico did not participate.
#1 Best Overall
- 60-PIECE BEGINNER INJECTION TRAINING KIT, EVERYTHING INCLUDED: Wearable IM injection pad, 6 needles (18G–27G), 5 syringes (1mL–5mL), 4 Practi-simulation vials, insulin syringe, alcohol prep pads, gauze, nitrile gloves, medical labels, bandages, and a 1-quart sharps container. Open the box and start practicing.
- WEARABLE INJECTION PAD WITH REALISTIC SKIN AND MUSCLE LAYERS: Simulates actual tissue feel and self-seals after repeated punctures. Absorbs fluid without leaving visible pin holes, giving nursing students consistent, true-to-life practice across hundreds of injections before clinical placement.
- PRACTICE THE COMPLETE CLINICAL WORKFLOW FROM DAY ONE: Draw from Practi-simulation vials, select correct needle gauges across six sizes, practice IM, SQ, and ID injection angles, label medications, and follow proper procedure sequencing. Built for students who need to arrive at clinicals ready, not just familiar.
- DESIGNED FOR NURSING STUDENTS, EMT TRAINEES, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANTS: Purpose-built for beginners and early-stage learners building foundational injection skills. Compact and portable for practice at home, in class, or on the go. For educational and simulation use only.
- BUILD REAL INJECTION CONFIDENCE BEFORE YOUR FIRST CLINICAL ROTATION: Most nursing students walk into clinicals having read about injections. This kit gives you hundreds of real reps first: drawing from vials, selecting gauges, hitting correct angles, and running the full procedure. Developed with healthcare educators. For educational and simulation use only.
The actor portrayed a 20- to 28-year-old adult with pink eye, fever, malaise, muscle aches and cough, but no recent travel. If asked about sick contacts, the actor said they had direct contact with a sick duck in Central Park. That detail tested whether staff asked about relevant exposure rather than relying only on travel history.
The exercise examined screening, masking, isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE), risk assessment and notification. The CDC authors describe drills as an opportunity to identify training needs and evaluate readiness; they are not a measure of actual transmission or patient outcomes. Read the CDC MMWR report.
Rank #2
- REALISTIC PRACTICE EXPERIENCE: The Apprentice Doctor Phlebotomy Kit includes a lifelike simulation arm that mimics veins and skin, designed for students to support practice and confidence building.
- COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING KIT: This phlebotomy kit includes a lifelike simulation arm and key training tools, making it a great resource for students while offering hands-on learning from the beginning.
- DURABLE MATERIALS: Made with upgraded silicone skin and simulated veins, this IV training kit replicates the look and feel of human skin while withstanding repeated use, making it a reliable and realistic learning tool for students.
- STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONAL COURSE: The included online course features video tutorials that demonstrate venipuncture and IV techniques, supporting guided practice and helping students build muscle memory in a educational setting.
- ABOUT THE APPRENTICE DOCTOR: The Apprentice Doctor develops educational training tools for students. Our products are designed to support learning, practice, and skill development.
Where the response slowed or fell short
Screening and exposure questions
Symptom screening occurred in 68 of 73 drills (93.2%). But only 7 of 73 (9.6%) included questions specific to avian influenza A(H5) exposure. The contrast suggests that general symptom checks were much more common than questions that could connect symptoms to a particular exposure.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Masking and isolation
The actor was masked in 60 of 73 drills (82.2%); the median time from arrival to masking was two minutes. Isolation occurred in 52 of 73 drills (71.2%), with a median arrival-to-isolation time of 11 minutes. CDC selected one minute to mask and ten minutes to isolate as drill targets to encourage prompt infection-control measures at the point of entry. These were exercise targets, not universal legal standards or results from a patient-care trial.
Rank #3
- CPR Savers Lifesaver AED Trainer – Version 3.0: Enhanced for Realistic, Reliable Training
Among the 58 drills with a timestamped masking measure, 25 (43.1%) met the one-minute target. Among the 52 isolation drills, 25 (48.1%) met the ten-minute target. These timing denominators differ from the 73-drill combined outcome because timestamp data and applicable encounters varied by measure.
Differences by setting
Isolation was slower in hospital outpatient clinics than in the other reported settings. Median arrival-to-isolation time was 20 minutes in outpatient clinics, compared with 9.5 minutes in emergency departments and 9 minutes in urgent care centers. Urgent-care masking took a median of five minutes. The urgent-care comparison rests on just 12 drills, so it should be read cautiously.
Rank #4
- ADULT & CHILD TRAINING MASK KIT- For Training Purposes Only. Full ambu bag kit for medical training including CPR training mask, 1 valve squeeze bag, 1 reservoir bag and 1 oxygen tube. Resuscitator Ambu Bag - Body Mask Valve
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Our CPR resuscitation kit includes a premium silicone CPR Mask and one-way valve, ensuring a leak-proof seal. Resuscitator is a reusable ventilator trainer consisting of components such as a face mask, breathing bag, oxygen storage bag, connecting tube, and valves
- COST-EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR CLASSROOM TRAINING OF CPR - Our CPR Mask Kit is designed to work for both adults and children. This training kit is designed to function just like an actual Bag Valve Mask resuscitator, great for any training.
- This face mask shield CPR barrier fits most Adult/Child CPR training dummies. Allows the user the ability to practice. CPR mask can be used with Medcore’s CPR practice valves during CPR manikin training.
PPE and internal notification
Clinicians used all recommended PPE in 25% of applicable encounters. The report’s examples of PPE include gloves, a mask, a gown and eye protection. Internal infection prevention and control staff were notified or scheduled for notification in 40 of 73 drills (54.8%). The findings point to multiple links in readiness: recognizing risk, having supplies available, knowing who acts, moving a patient to an appropriate space and alerting infection-prevention staff.
What the findings can—and cannot—show
The figures are from participating sites in three jurisdictions, not a nationally representative inspection. The total number of facilities invited to participate was unavailable, so the response rate cannot be calculated. The authors also note that a facility might have learned about a drill beforehand or during its conduct.
Best Value
- SKILL MASTERY: Improve your suturing abilities with this practice pad, designed for medical and veterinary students to gain confidence and proficiency in various suturing techniques, enhancing your readiness for real-world scenarios;
- REALISTIC TRAINING EXPERIENCE: Our Advanced Suture Practice Pad closely mimics skin texture, providing medical students with a lifelike feel for precise suturing practice, ensuring you're well-prepared for real surgical scenarios;
- BUILT TO LAST: Crafted with durability in mind, our suture pad kit withstands repeated use without tearing. The reinforced stitching and protective mesh layer ensure it remains intact, making it a lifelong investment in your medical education;
- VERSATILE SKILL DEVELOPMENT: With 17 pre-cut wounds, this pad offers comprehensive training opportunities, simulating different scenarios and techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner, it caters to all skill levels;
- PORTABLE EXCELLENCE: Designed for convenience, our suturing practice kit is compact and portable, allowing you to take your suturing skills to class, the lab, or even home. Elevate your medical education with the Advanced Suture Practice Pad today;
Because the exercise used a simulated H5-compatible scenario, it does not establish how facilities would perform during an actual outbreak. The results are best read as a snapshot of specific readiness steps in these drills, with different denominators for different measures.
Why the drill’s gaps matter
The CDC report’s authors say health care workers and facility staff need training to identify, mask and isolate potentially infectious febrile patients earlier. They also warn that waiting areas can be high-risk settings for respiratory-virus transmission if appropriate infection-prevention and control measures are not implemented. In practical terms, a screening script alone is not enough if staff lack a clear exposure-question pathway, mask access, isolation procedures or notification roles.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
