Fort Lauderdale, Florida - To more effectively treat emerging variants of COVID-19, and in accordance with NIH guidelines, Broward Health has revised its monoclonal antibody therapy and starting Wednesday, April 7, will use a combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab, which has been approved by the FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). This new combination has shown promising results over the single agent bamlanivimab, which was previously used solely, at addressing COVID-19 infection due to some variants.
"Broward Health continues to explore the most effective treatments for our patients as the COVID-19 virus mutates," said Joshua Lenchus, D.O., chief medical officer, Broward Health Medical Center. "Monoclonal antibodies have proven effective in preventing COVID-positive patients from getting very sick and requiring hospitalization. But now, as we see the increase in COVID variants affecting our community, we must modify our therapies to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients."
Administered together as a diluted intravenous infusion, this new combination can be used for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing. Patients must be 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg and be at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Monoclonal antibody therapy is available in the outpatient setting.
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, a dynamic academic partnership with Florida Atlantic University, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.6 billion, and annually provides more than $522.6 million of charity and uncompensated care.
For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.