While Ebola has affected the U.S. in a relatively small way, it may have an enduring impact on the healthcare system, according to an article on The Huffington Post.

A major part of the initial scramble to care for Ebola patients focused on a lack of training. But the subsequent formation of a regional network of hospitals ready to treat Ebola and other rare infectious diseases signals a new readiness, the article said.

The federal government hopes this hospital network will play a larger role as the first line of defense against future diseases.

“People are making infrastructure changes and really getting focused on what’s necessary to manage complicated patients,” said Dr. Stuart Cohen, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and director of Hospital Infection Control at the University of California, Davis Health System. 

“I do think there will be [disease outbreaks] after this, so that preparation won’t be a one-time wonder.”

Read the article.