Flowers Hospital Assists Surgery Center South in Setup of Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Clinic
8/24/2021
Flowers Hospital and Surgery Center South are working to offer monoclonal antibody infusion therapy to more patients for the treatment of some cases of COVID-19. Currently, Flowers Hospital is the only site in Dothan offering the infusion therapy and has treated more than 1,300 patients with the therapy. However, this week, Surgery Center South will also offer the infusion therapy in an effort to reach more patients and aid in helping people in the local community avoid hospitalization due to COVID-19.
“Flowers Hospital is offering as many infusions as we can, but there are still more people in our community that need them,” said Dan Cumbie, Flowers Hospital's chief nursing officer. “Our team was able to help staff from Surgery Center South learn about the infusion process so we can work together to help more of our friends and neighbors in need of the treatment.”
For certain individuals recently diagnosed with COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy may help prevent hospitalization or worsening symptoms. The infusion consists of man-made antibodies that mirror the antibodies of patients who have recovered from the COVID-19 virus. The research is showing that this therapy may limit the amount of virus in the body; therefore, helping symptoms improve sooner.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is only approved for certain individuals and cannot be provided to individuals who are already in the hospital because of their COVID-19 symptoms, to anyone who requires oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, or those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should speak with their doctor about the qualification process for monoclonal antibody therapy. If approved, the doctor’s office will coordinate scheduling an appointment for the therapy.
If you need a physician, visit www.FlowersMedicalGroup.com to connect with a Flowers Medical Group primary care physician.
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