Baptist Health spearheads breakthrough COVID-19 plasma treatment

Clinicians treating severely suffering COVID-19 patients at Baptist Health Corbin now have access to the FDA-sponsored, Mayo Clinic-led expanded access treatment program through a clinical trial using plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients as a potential treatment option.

The breakthrough convalescent plasma treatment allows current COVID-19 patients to receive plasma from recovered patients. The study is being spearheaded locally by Dr. Wajdi Kfoury,  through the Baptist Health Clinical Research Center.

Convalescent plasma contains antibodies believed to fight the COVID-19 virus that may help patients improve more quickly.  Plasma donations are collected from recovered COVID-19 patients willing to support the study.

People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 may qualify to donate plasma if they meet specific plasma and blood donation eligibility requirements:

• A COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by a laboratory test

• Have complete resolution of symptoms for at least 14 days

• Are at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds (additional weight requirements apply for donors age 18 or older)

• Feel well, generally, even if being treated for a chronic condition

If you meet the criteria to be a donor, you are asked to contact Baptist Health Corbin at 606.526.4405 or visit the Kentucky Blood Center at https://kybloodcenter.org/convalescent-plasma-donation  where information about plasma donation can be found on the homepage.

“Recovered COVID-19 patients have the opportunity to be part of a landmark study to help us beat COVID-19,” Dr. Kfoury said. “Their participation could save lives.”

Those who also want to help during the COVID-19 pandemic can donate to the Baptist Health Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Assistance fund. To donate and help Baptist Health caregivers and patients, visit SupportBaptistHealth.org.

About Baptist Health Corbin

Baptist Health Corbin is a 273-bed, acute care facility providing a wide variety of healthcare services to the residents of Whitley, Knox, Laurel, Bell, Clay, McCreary, Harlan and Campbell counties in Kentucky and nearby Jellico, Tennessee.  Part of Louisville, Kentucky-based Baptist Health, the hospital offers 24 points of care in a full continuum from inpatient care to rehab services to behavioral health.  Services include cardiac, orthopedics, pain management, a full range of women’s services, including obstetrics and breast care; wound care, pain management, cancer care, and diabetic treatments.

Formerly known as the Baptist Regional Medical Center, the hospital includes outpatient diagnostic, home care, occupational medicine and physical therapy clinics. Baptist Health has a network of healthcare providers for patients in the Southeast Kentucky area – from Baptist Health Medical Group offices, to Baptist Health Urgent Care and Baptist Health Express Care inside Walmart.