Sanford launches first outpatient COVID-19 therapy centers
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., November 23, 2020 — Sanford Health, the largest provider of rural health care in the country, today announced it is one of the first health systems in the nation to open outpatient therapy centers for high-risk COVID-19 patients with a goal of improving outcomes and reducing hospitalizations. Patients will have access to bamlanivimab, a COVID-19 antibody treatment made by Eli Lilly, which recently received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA. Sanford has received allocation of this drug via state departments of health.
“At Sanford, we’re taking the future into our own hands,” said Dr. Allison Suttle, M.D., chief medical officer, at Sanford Health. “Today is a huge win-win for our patients and our staff. We now have a treatment that will help protect our most vulnerable populations from developing serious complications from COVID-19. By preventing hospitalizations, we will reduce the strain on our health system and front-line health care workers.”
The monoclonal antibody from Eli Lilly has been shown to prevent certain high-risk populations from developing severe illness from COVID-19 and keep patients out of the hospital if administered as soon as possible after a positive coronavirus test and within 10 days of developing symptoms. In a Phase 3 trial, more than 450 newly diagnosed patients received the monoclonal antibody or a placebo infusion. 1.7% of those who got the drug were hospitalized, compared with 6% of those who received a placebo — a 72% reduction in risk, Eli Lilly has reported.
After a patient receives a positive COVID-19 test, the result will be shared in Sanford’s electronic medical record (EMR). A Sanford nurse will review the EMR which also includes patient-specific risk factors to determine if the patient meets the criteria to receive the antibody treatment. Eligible patients will be contacted within 24 hours of a positive test result to schedule an appointment at the outpatient center. Initially, Sanford will prioritize patients who are 65 and older and have one chronic condition or patients who are 55 and older with two or more chronic conditions, following the EUA guidelines. The Lilly antibody drug must be ordered by a physician and is administered via a one-time infusion.
As one of the nation’s largest integrated health systems, Sanford has the benefit of a sophisticated infrastructure to be able to provide access to these COVID-19 infusion treatments for patients living in rural communities across the upper Midwest. Sanford intends to continue to provide access to investigational medications for clinical trials related to COVID-19, which will also be administered to patients at these outpatient centers.
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 46 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and 10 countries. Learn more about Sanford Health’s transformative work to improve the human condition at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.
Media Contact:
Angela Dejene
Sanford Health
Angela.dejene@sanfordhealth.org
(218) 280-0148
