Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 83 A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Benefis.org What are monoclonal antibody infusions, and who is eligible? Last year, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization to permit the use of remdesivir and bamlanivimab – the products used in the infusions – to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in patients age 12 and older who are at a high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Benefis started offering the infusions to eligible patients on Nov. 23, 2020, and we have treated more than 300 patients using this method after screening nearly 1,000 positive results for eligibility. Before we started the infusions, the hospital was experiencing high COVID-19 admissions. However, after eight weeks of infusions, we were able to close the designated COVID-19 floor due to a sharp decline in hospitalizations. How have you been able to help our regional partners prioritize COVID-19 patients and their needs? Our brightest moment came after receiving a call for help during a COVID-19 outbreak at the Missouri River Medical Center in Fort Benton. Benefis immediately sent a nurse practitioner, a nurse intern, and a pharmacist with supplies, including doses of lifesaving monoclonal antibodies. They were able to infuse nine infected patients – and preserve every life. Open communication has enabled us to support our smaller communities and help them establish a community resource to sustain future treatments, but what mattered most during the crisis in Fort Benton was just working alongside them. Over the next year, we plan to continue expanding and evolving our COVID-19 resources for patients and providers throughout Montana. What stands out to you from doing this work? I have consistently witnessed our medical staff representing the best part of our Great Falls community – doing the right thing while serving others, doing whatever it takes to help patients when they're scared, and showing up for no other reason than compassion for humanity. I am privileged to work alongside this staff and all they do. THIS COVID-19 TREATMENT IS SAVING LIVES IN MONTANA FEATURING DR. BRAD NIESET Dr. Brad Nieset has been at the forefront of treating COVID-19 at Benefis Health System in Great Falls throughout the pandemic. Most recently, he has been relentlessly leading the program that delivers potentially lifesaving monoclonal antibody infusions to eligible members of the community, while empowering and educating regional hospitals to do the same.

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