Recommended Citation
Deford A, Coates A. Creating a delivery method for COVID-19: Monoclonal antibody therapy. Covid Innovations podium presentation at Nursing Passion: Re-Igniting the Art & Science, Advocate Aurora Health Nursing & Research Conference 2022; November 9, 2022; virtual.
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Presentation Notes
Covid Innovations podium presentation at Nursing Passion: Re-Igniting the Art & Science, Advocate Aurora Health Nursing & Research Conference 2022; November 9, 2022; virtual.
Abstract
Introduction: Monoclonal antibody therapy provided a treatment method for community members diagnosed with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease with comorbid conditions at risk of progression to severe morbidity. Nursing leadership, pharmacy and clinical informatics collaborated to implement an outpatient infusion therapy program.
Rationale: Establishing an outpatient COVID-19 infusion department provided patients with quick access to treatment while diminishing the need for hospitalization.
Method: Clinical informatics collaborated with nursing leadership, pharmacy, and patient access to create the applicable orders, appointments, education, and tip sheets. The Advocate Aurora Northern Illinois leadership team located a physical space and obtained the appropriate staff necessary to operate the department.
Providers determined patient eligibility for receiving the monoclonal antibody therapy. Providers ordered the appropriate COVID-19 therapy plan for nursing staff to execute upon the patient’s arrival. Patients were educated on the treatment, received Sotrovimab intravenously, were monitored after treatment, and discharged home.
Results/Findings: The Good Shepherd Covid Infusion Department opened in early January 2022 and closed in April 2022. Sotrovimab treatment was administered to 145 patients. Of those patients, 6.8% were admitted to the hospital and 2.4% were admitted due to worsening COVID-19 symptoms and the remainder recovered.
Discussion/Conclusion: Patients who received Sotrovimab in the outpatient setting were able to receive treatment during an early period in their disease, thereby avoiding worsening morbidity. This led to fewer hospitalizations, relieving patient load on clinical team members and conserving hospital resources.
Implications for Practice: Forging a monoclonal antibody department with a multi-disciplinary team provided an opportunity to build strong relationships, due to the urgency in providing emergent services to our local community, while easing the hospital’s burden. The process allowed us to reflect on the barriers our community members have in obtaining the appropriate resources to access medical treatment, especially during a pandemic.
Document Type
Oral/Podium Presentation