Courtyard Rehab has announced that it is the first nursing home in the state to begin offering monoclonal antibody infusions to high risk residents with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. The treatment is designed to slow the progression of the virus and keep patients out of hospitals.
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigen such as viruses. Bamlanivimab is a monoclonal antibody that is specifically directed against the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus attachment in entry into human cells.
“We began treatment on Jan. 13 and are super excited that these life-saving medications are available for us to administer to our elders in their own homes” stated Karen McCullar, RN clinical nurse consultant.
Alison Alderson, an RN at Courtyard, reported Thursday that several patients who had received the treatment said they were feeling better within 24 hours after the infusion, said Vicki Vaughn, RN clinical liaison for Courtyard.
Caitlan Butler contributed reporting.