Flowers Hospital, Alabama Department of Public Health and HHS Collaborate to Expand Access to Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

11/4/2021

Flowers Hospital, in collaboration with Alabama Department of Public Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced today that it will begin providing COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment at a mobile infusion unit to further expand access beyond its existing hospital-based infusion location. For people who are at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 illness and have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus or are unvaccinated and have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, this promising mAb treatment has been shown to help prevent progression of the disease that might otherwise require hospitalization.

In response to the continuing spread of the Delta variant and with COVID-19 case rates remaining high, Flowers Hospital will expand access to the mAb infusion for eligible patients at a 10-chair mobile unit adjacent to its main facility at 4370 West Main Street in Dothan, Alabama. With the launch of the mobile unit, Flowers Hospital will be able to more than double the number of patients it can treat with mAbs from 150 per week to more than 300 per week. Patients can receive the mAb treatment Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Patients should talk to their physician to confirm eligibility for the treatment and to schedule an appointment.

If administered within 10 days of the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, the one-time therapy is highly effective in neutralizing the virus and preventing symptoms from worsening. Flowers Hospital recommends patients get the mAb treatment within seven days of a positive test result. The treatment is administered through infusion therapy.

“This collaboration allows us to expand our services and treat more members of our community,” said Flowers Hospital CEO Jeff Brannon. “We have already treated more than 2,500 patients, and we are excited to be able to multiply our efforts.

“Over the past several months, we have seen positive results from the mAb infusions. The fight against COVID-19 is far from over and residents need to be aware of the options available to them,” he continued.

“This new monoclonal antibody therapy treatment, along with the federal funding that supports it, is a key part of our national plan to battle the virus and save lives,” State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama Department of Public Health, said. “With Flowers Hospital's leadership in monoclonal antibody therapy treatment in the tri-state area, even more resources will be available to ensure people receive the care they need to prevent them from being hospitalized. With the new expansion underway, we hope to continue to preserve hospital capacity and help put an end to this virus."

On March 17, 2021, HHS announced it was investing $150 million to increase access to mAb therapy for high-risk patients in underserved and disadvantaged communities across the country. With support from KPMG LLP, HHS is developing new prototype models for expanding access to mAb treatment and leveraging an existing network of health care providers to provide the therapy for underserved and disadvantaged populations.

Flowers Hospital is the fifth provider organization in Alabama to join this national initiative. It joins a growing list of mAb therapy providers supported by KPMG and sponsored by HHS as part of the federal effort to help end COVID-19, especially in underserved communities across the country. With the expansion of mAb therapy capacity at Flowers Hospital, 30 prototype models have been established or expanded at nearly 90 infusion sites in 18 states.

The mAb therapy is the first COVID-19 treatment granted emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for outpatient use. A Phase 3 clinical trial showed that the antibody therapy reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by up to 70% in patients who received the drug intravenously compared to those who received a placebo.

The FDA emergency use authorization provides Information on eligibility for mAb treatment. The infusion treatment takes less than hour, with an observation time afterward. Treatment is offered regardless of immigration status, health insurance coverage, or ability to pay.

Flowers Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of U.S. healthcare organizations, and has been named a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. Additionally, the hospital maintains various accreditations from the American College of Cardiology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American College of Radiology.

About Crush COVID:
A treatment for COVID-19 is here and is available in every state at hundreds of locations across the country. With the help of KPMG, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), state and local health departments, and local hospitals and health clinics, eligible patients will have increased access to mAb treatment in a growing number of underserved and disadvantaged communities through this initiative. Authorized by the FDA, monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) is available to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are considered at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. To learn more about eligibility and find a treatment location near you, visit https://crushcovid.com.

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