WRGB: Local Hospital Using Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat Immunosuppressed COVID Patients

WRGB/CBS6 News interviewed Melissa Fiorini, M.D., director of SPHP’s monoclonal antibody infusion clinic, located on the Samaritan Hospital – Albany Memorial Campus.

Dr. Fiorini discussed the clinic’s operations and the treatment’s impact on COVID-positive patients who have received the therapy.

From the story:

“On the eight hour days we can do approximately 12 patients a day. On 12-hour days, we can do up to 18 patients a day. One hour infusion and then a one hour observation period,” said Melissa Fiorini, M.D., director of the SPHP monoclonal antibody clinic.

The antibodies have only been approved for those 65 and older, those who are obese, or with diabetes, kidney disease immune issues or cancer.

“Our most wonderful comment was from someone in their 70s who said they feel it was truly lifesaving” Dr. Melissa Fiorini said. “We do think it helps. it’s not the end-all, be-all, we want people to wear multi-layered masks, we want people to get the vaccine, but it offers us something in the tool kit to help people that do end up having COVID and who are at risk for not having a good outcome.”

Samuel Bosco, M.D., regional medical director of emergency medicine for SPHP, was also interviewed for the story. Dr. Bosco contracted COVID-19 and received the monoclonal antibody therapy in December.

Click here to watch WRGB’s report.

 

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