Four area hospitals have confirmed they have been selected to participate in a new monoclonal antibody therapy for high-risk COVID-19 patients who are 65 and older as well as children 12 and over who are immunocompromised. All four have received limited supplies of Bamlanivimab and St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll has reported their medical staff will be meeting to determine the most appropriate distribution process. Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison and Audubon County Memorial Hospital will be administering the drug in accordance with the guidelines set out by the manufacturer to those patients who meet all the criteria outlined. Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC) Pharmacist, Jen Morris, says they were notified last week they would receive five infusion this week and three next. Their plan will be to begin implementation as early as today (Thursday). “Similar to other treatments that have been introduced for COVID-19, such as Remdesiver, the government is releasing a limited supply throughout the areas in greatest need until the therapy is widely available,” Morris says. MRHC will also follow the protocols outlined by the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services. They will then customize distribution based on the availability and need using a risk assessment tool with the support of MRHC staff and providers. A COVID-19 positive patient will be contacted by an MRHC staff member and a basic risk assessment will be conducted at that time over the phone. If they feel the patient qualifies for the therapy, a telehealth appointment will be made with their provider for further evaluation. “The goal for using this therapy is to keep people from being hospitalized,” Morris explains. “We intend to hold the infusion clinics for this therapy on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Respiratory Clinic but outside of the regular COVID-19 appointment times.” Morris says they are fortunate to have been selected to offer this option to their patients. “At MRHC, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused much unease, but as a team, we are dedicated to providing the safest care possible to those we serve,” she says. The state will remain in contact with participating hospitals about this therapy and any others that become available.
