Bam Infusion Treatment is Now Available at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center

TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center is proud to announce it has started administering the monoclonal antibody therapeutic, bamlanivimab, for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with mild or moderate confirmed cases of COVID-19. Bamlanivimab received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on November 9, 2020.

“TriStar StoneCrest is committed to providing excellent, high-quality patient care and by offering the monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab our hospital can provide hope to the community while making a direct impact in the fight against COVID-19,” says Joe Gleason, chief operating officer at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. “As a part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare, we are proud to have the resources to provide support and solutions to our patients, colleagues and communities, including the latest approved treatments for COVID-19.”

According to the USFDA, bamlanivimab is appropriate for emergency use for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age or older weighing at least 40 kg (88 lbs.), and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. High-risk criteria include:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35
• Have chronic kidney disease
• Have diabetes mellitus
• Have immunosuppressive disease
• Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
• Are ≥ 65 years of age

Are ≥ 55 years of age AND

• Have cardiovascular disease, or hypertension or, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease.

Are 12 – 17 years of age AND have

• BMI ≥85th percentile for their age and gender based on CDC growth charts, or https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/clinical_charts.htm
• Sickle cell disease,
• Congenital or acquired heart disease,
• A neurodevelopmental disorders, for example, cerebral palsy,
• A medical-related technological dependence, for example, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19),
• Asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.

“The approval of bamlanivimab is an important step in the fight against COVID-19 and reducing hospitalizations related to the virus,” added Gleason. “We are excited to provide the bamlanivimab treatment option to adult’s age 18 years and over. We are one of two HCA TriStar Division hospitals, the other being TriStar Southern Hills, and the only facility in Rutherford County that will be working closely with physicians and other providers across the communities we serve to provide this treatment option to patients who may benefit, per the FDA guidelines.”

Patients must obtain a physician referral for a BAM Infusion Consult from a TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center pulmonologist, meet FDA criteria prior to scheduling, and have a referral order for BAM Infusion. Patients who meet the criteria for treatment will be referred for outpatient treatment at the BAM infusion therapy center located at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center. This is a three-hour treatment process.

For additional information about monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab, go to TriStar Health.com/StoneCrest or call 615-768-2855.