Supporting COMMUNITIES From Charlotte County to Citrus COUNty
TAMPA, Florida – (December 10, 2020) – HCA West Florida is now offering Bamlanivimab antibody infusions at four hospitals to non-hospitalized patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have other high-risk factors. The first patient received the treatment on December 9 at St. Petersburg General Hospital. Participating hospitals include Blake Medical Center in Manatee County, Brandon Regional Hospital in Hillsborough County, St. Petersburg General Hospital in Pinellas County, and Medical Center of Trinity in Pasco County.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Authorized Use (EUA) of Bamlanivimab for the treatment of COVID-19 patients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms who are high risk to develop severe COVID-19. All four hospitals will provide the outpatient IV treatment for adults and Brandon Regional Hospital will also provide the treatment for adolescents age 12 and older.
High-risk conditions that may be eligible for this treatment include:
- Obesity
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppressive disease
- Heart disease
For children over the age of 12, sickle cell disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, and asthma are also among several additional considerations for eligibility.
“We’re committed to providing our patients, caregivers, and the communities we serve with the latest treatments in the fight against COVID-19 and are excited to bring this option to our four different geographic areas along Florida’s west coast,” said Dr. Larry Feinman, Chief Medical Officer for HCA Healthcare West Florida. “The four locations will support all of our local hospitals in working closely with physicians and other providers across the communities we serve to provide treatment to patients who may benefit, per FDA guidelines.”
The medication supply is limited and based on availability. Patients will need a physician referral and meet FDA criteria prior to scheduling. The treatment is a one-time intravenous infusion over the course of one hour followed by an hour of monitoring. Scheduling for patients who meet the criteria can be made by calling: Blake Medical Center at 941-798-6150, Brandon Regional Hospital at 813-916-1581 or 813-460-3187, Medical Center of Trinity at 727-834-4917 and St. Petersburg General Hospital at 727-341-4909.
Bamlanivimab is not authorized for use for patients who:
- Are hospitalized due to COVID-19
- Require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19
- Require oxygen due to another underlying medical condition
For more information on monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, visit the Coronavirus Research Hub at HCA Healthcare.com.
(Photo Caption Below)
Photo Caption:
St. Petersburg General Hospital’s Kandice Williams, RN (right) and Vinson Huynh, M.D. (left) successfully performed HCA Healthcare West Florida’s first Monoclonal Antibody Therapy on patient Harry (center) on Wednesday, December 9 for the early treatment of COVID-19. The outpatient IV treatment is approved by the FDA for patients at high risk to develop severe COVID-19. Harry was visiting the area from Massachusetts when he developed symptoms and presented to Palms of Pasadena Hospital. Harry was diagnosed with early onset COVID-19 and referred to St. Petersburg General Hospital as an excellent candidate for the new therapy based on his medical history. The outpatient treatment involves a one-hour infusion followed by another hour of observation.
###
About HCA Healthcare West Florida
HCA Healthcare West Florida provides a complete continuum of high-quality programs and services to meet the healthcare needs of residents and businesses throughout west Florida, caring for more than 1.2 million patients last year. HCA West Florida includes 15 hospitals, 27 ER locations, 13 ambulatory surgery centers, numerous physician practices, graduate medical education programs, a regional lab, and consolidated service center. Our hospitals include Blake Medical Center, Brandon Regional Hospital, Citrus Memorial Hospital, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Englewood Community Hospital, Fawcett Memorial Hospital, Largo Medical Center, Medical Center of Trinity, Memorial Hospital of Tampa, Northside Hospital, Oak Hill Hospital, Palms of Pasadena Hospital, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, South Bay Hospital and St. Petersburg General Hospital. HCA West Florida is affiliated with HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine.