Altercare, Absolute providing COVID-19 antibody therapy
Altercare skilled nursing centers are partnering with Absolute Pharmacy and Absolute Home Health to offer progressive monoclonal antibody therapy, Bamlanivimab, to residents at select Altercare centers.
Thanks to the partnership, residents at Altercare centers including Altercare Majora Lane in Millersburg can access the monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-related illness.
Bamlanivimab is FDA-authorized for emergency use as treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in patients at high risk of developing severe illness requiring hospitalization. The infusion therapy is administered via IV and requires approximately one hour of staff monitoring. Due to the intensive staff requirements, the treatment is not typically available onsite at skilled nursing facilities.
“It’s good to have a vaccine to offer to our patients to prevent them from contracting COVID-19, but now having a prescribed treatment for positive cases will allow us to treat in-house and reduce the potential of hospitalization,” said Kevin Fearon, COO of Absolute Pharmacy.
Absolute Pharmacy, which was selected by federal entities to receive initial supplies of Bamlanivimab, will manage and supply the drug and infusion supplies including emergency drugs in case of reaction. Absolute Home Health will support the effort by providing a dedicated nurse infusion team to Altercare centers to administer the IV treatment and monitor patients following the infusion. Altercare staff will coordinate the treatment schedule and provide additional clinical support.
“Families can rest easy knowing that if an at-risk loved one contracts COVID-19, Altercare has access to this life-saving treatment and the ability to deliver it here within the walls of our centers,” said Deanna Hatfield, chief nursing officer at Altercare. “We are pleased to incorporate the infusion therapy into our COVID-19 abatement efforts to ensure the population we serve is provided quality care in a safe environment.”
This treatment is the latest addition in Altercare’s approach to COVID-19 management. The company also recently completed the installation of a Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization air purification system at every Altercare center. This investment provides residents and staff with safer, cleaner air by reducing the airborne transmission of illnesses such as COVID-19, flu and other viruses.