Press release from Pardee UNC Health Care:
In response to ongoing community demand and recent availability of treatments for COVID-19, Pardee UNC Health Care will once again open its infusion clinic in a new, offsite location, available by referral only. To manage the patient volumes and administer these infusions, specific clinicians are needed, including registered nurses, paramedics, and advanced EMTs. Rate of pay for these temporary contract positions has been set at $50 per hour. People with an active N.C. license in any of these areas who are willing to work half or full-day shifts can contact infusionclinic@unchealth.unc.edu.
As was the case with previous clinics, patients must meet eligibility criteria and must be referred by a provider in order to receive treatment. Patients who meet criteria will receive either Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that blocks SARS-CoV-2 replication, or the monoclonal antibody therapeutic, Sotrivimab, depending on patient eligibility and treatment availability. Unlike other outpatient therapeutics previously offered to COVID patients, Remdesivir must be administered within five days of symptoms and in three doses separated by 24 hours each. Unfortunately, treatment cannot be provided after day five. When treatment is received as indicated, Remdesivir has proven effective for prevention of hospitalization and death in outpatients with COVID-19. Pardee has adequate supply of Remdesivir but continues to have limited supply of Sotrovimab.
If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, they should ask their provider if they meet specific eligibility criteria for either of these treatment options. In order to be scheduled for outpatient infusion, patients must have 1) a positive COVID test and 2) a referral from a provider. Community providers have been provided with the appropriate eligibility criteria and referral forms to use. For additional questions related to COVID or treatment options, please call Pardee’s community COVID hotline at 828-694-8225. This is a voicemail only phone line; please leave a message and we will call you back with answers to your questions. There may be a delay in return calls for messages left on a weekend or holiday.
Pardee notes that the generous support provided last fall from the Henderson County Commissioners is allowing them to open this new outpatient infusion clinic and to seek additional staff to support its operation. “Pardee was proud to be the first organization in western North Carolina to provide infusion treatments and we are honored to continue to respond to community demand during this surge,” said James M. Kirby, II, president and CEO, Pardee UNC Health Care. “We are grateful for the $250,000 grant from our Commissioners which will allow us to expand capacity and administer much needed treatments to our community members.”
Pardee UNC Health Care is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. Pardee has several locations separate from the main campus, including a comprehensive physician practice network, a cancer center, four urgent care locations and six orthopedic clinics. For more information or to find a physician, visit www.pardeehospital.org.
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