Knoxville Hospital & Clinics partnered with Knoxville Fire & Rescue to provide treatment when a long-term care facility experienced a COVID-19 outbreak in December. Approximately 85 percent of the residents tested positive. KHC staff saw the need for an urgent response, and offered patients Bamlanivimab, which is a monoclonal antibody treatment commonly referred to as “BAM” to the residents. Between five and ten residents per day were treated over a two-week span. Knoxville Fire & Rescue transported the residents to KHC, and KHC staff prepared medications, provided nursing care, organized paperwork, and sanitized rooms used for treatment.

This treatment is intended to help high-risk patients by stopping the virus from reproducing, which prevents severe symptoms. It was approved by the FDA for emergency use in November.

Chief Nursing Officer Jan Myers tells KNIA/KRLS News that it turned out to be a success, and that the collaborative effort between the organizations made a positive impact on the entire community.