MONROE, La. – St. Francis Medical Center’s new partnership with the Mayo Clinic is allowing recovered COVID-19 patients to give back in a new way.
St. Francis announced earlier this month that they will be a site for the Clinic’s convalescent plasma expanded access program.
According to St. Francis, the program will explore whether or not COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP), which contains antibodies to the virus that leads to COVID-19, may provide passive immunity to certain patients with severe forms of the illness.
CCP has not been proven yet as a cure, but studies show it has helped with other serious illnesses in the past.
“There has been some evidence that convalescent plasma has been effective with Ebola, it has also been effective with H1N1 as well as SARS-CoV-1,” said Dr. John Bruchhaus, the Co-Director of Intensive Care at St. Francis Medical Center.
Dr. Bruchhaus also serves as the Hospital’s COVID-19 Task Force Manager. He said St. Francis is reviewing their previous COVID-19 tests for eligible donors. He said they have already tested over 2,000 people in the last couple of weeks.
In order for a recovered person to donate, they must meet with their primary care physician and be determined symptom-free for at least 14 days.
Donors who have been symptom-free for 14-27 days will need to provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test. Donors that have been symptom-free for 28 or more days do not require a negative test for donation
From there, primary care physicians can contact LifeShare Blood Center for further information.
There is still an opportunity for people to donate if they weren’t tested as positive, but feel like they were exposed or experienced symptoms.
“For people that feel like they may have the illness and have recovered or had exposure and have recovered, more and more appropriate antibody testing is being done around the country,” he said.
Those antibody tests must be FDA approved.
According to St. Francis, one person is currently enrolled in the trial program and they are waiting on plasma deliveries. Once they are delivered, the plasma will be distributed to patients enrolled in the trial.
To learn if you qualify to donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma, contact your physician so they can complete the required form indicating you are eligible. Completed forms may be emailed to [email protected] or you may carry it with you to donate. Donors may visit LifeShare.org/FAQS for more information. Primary care providers may contact Dr. John Bruchhaus at St. Francis Medical Center by calling (318) 966-4541 for assistance with this process.
