LRH provides new medications to prevent COVID hospitalizations
Many hospitals across the country were given the opportunity two weeks ago to begin administering two new IV medications for COVID-positive patients in an effort to prevent inpatient hospitalizations. Lakes Regional Healthcare began administering the medications, Bamlanivimab and Casirivimab/Imdevimab, in late November for emergency room and Lakes Regional Family Medicine patients.
The medications are administered intravenously to patients based on certain criteria upon physician review. According to Lakes Regional Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Jeremy Bolluyt, patients who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus may receive the medications if they have mild to moderate symptoms and meet other criteria regarding age, body mass index, weight or comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, COPD and hypertension.