Floyd Medical Center’s monoclonal antibody infusion
therapy program, aimed at preventing COVID-19 patients
from requiring hospitalization, is the largest in the state,
and Dr. Daniel Valancius is passionate about its success.
Floyd began using the therapy in November, just eight
days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved its emergency use, becoming the first regional
infusion provider.
“Our numbers of people seeking the infusions are
probably on par in volume terms with major academic
medical centers,” said Dr. Valancius, Director of the
Hospitalist program at Floyd. He has been actively
treating COVD-19 patients since Floyd County’s first case
in March 2020. “My goal is to help as many people as we
can,” Dr. Valancius added.
By the end of February, Floyd had treated more than 500
patients with the infusions, and of those, only 2.85 percent
required hospitalization. The FDA said the original trial
study indicated that the hospitalization rate was 3 percent.
It is estimated that without treatment, the admission rate
for COVID patients eligible to receive the therapy would
be about 10 percent.
When Floyd began offering the treatment, Executive Vice
President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Jones said he
knew it would be a benefit.
“There is no doubt this has been a difference maker,” said
Jones. “Keeping sick patients from getting sicker is a
win when you are talking about COVID and it also helps
ensure the hospital can concentrate on caring for the sickest
patients.”
Because the patients seeking treatment are COVID positive,
special care has to be taken. Patients have to be separated
from others seeking outpatient care, and of course hospital
employees administering the treatment have to wear
personal protection equipment.
Many hospitals in the state were unable to provide the
treatment immediately because they didn’t have the right
space to provide it or enough personnel to perform the
infusions, which can take up to two hours.
Any patient 65 or older who meets the following criteria is
eligible to receive the treatment:
• Tested positive for COVID-19 within four days of the
scheduled treatment
• Started showing symptoms within 10 days of receiving
treatment
• Is not hospitalized
• Has a mild to moderate case of COVID-19
• Weighs 88 pounds or more
• Does not require additional oxygen
Patients between the ages of 12 and 64 must also meet the
above requirements while also exhibiting signs of other
serious conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular
disease, high blood pressure, COPD, asthma or sickle cell
anemia.
Floyd a Regional Leader
in Infusion Program to
Fight COVID-19
MOVING FORWARD
Floyd Medical Center pharmacy technician Jamison
Christie prepares a monoclonal antibody infusion
OUTLOOK | MARCH 2021 31