StarMed will be the first non-hospital health-care provider to offer monoclonal antibody therapy treatments to Bladen County residents in response to demand.
StarMed Healthcare is the first non-hospital health-care provider in the Bladen County area to administer doses of COVID-19 antibody therapy. In an effort to meet the demand following the onset of this therapy, the company has signed a lease at 501 Doctors Drive in Elizabethtown, NC to open up appointment slots that are needed in the area, through a partnership with the State of North Carolina. About 40 daily doses of COVID-19 antibody therapies will be administered at the StarMed Elizabethtown site. The clinic opened last week.
Operating hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new space has four private rooms to accommodate monoclonal antibody patients. StarMed has and will continue to work with other counties around the state to set up similar clinics.
StarMed’s goal is to relieve the burden on the hospital system by offering COVID-19 antibody therapy to patients, which research validation has shown:
● Reduces the mortality rate of COVID-19 by 20%-70%.
● Decreases symptoms in COVID-positive patients by two weeks.
● Decreases viral loads to make patients less contagious.
For patients who are exposed to COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy can be used as a prophylaxis after being exposed to decrease getting symptomatic COVID-19 by 93%. These antibody therapy treatments have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
Due to a limited supply, appointments are being accepted through the starmed.care website.
Monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 antibody therapy are produced by taking the natural immunity from a COVID-positive donor and replicating the antibody protein that is specific to fighting COVID-19. The replicated antibodies are administered through either a 21-minute IV infusion or subcutaneous injection, with a 60-minute observation for any side effects. The antibodies remain in the patient’s system for 30 to 90 days. Minor side effects include nausea and dizziness, while serious side effects are rare. A full list of safety and efficacy can be found on the StarMed website.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is free to patients and is not a substitute for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Patients who SHOULD receive doses of COVID-19 antibody therapy:
● Individuals ages 12 and up who are unvaccinated can receive monoclonal antibody therapy.
● Anyone who is vaccinated but has an immunocompromised state due to underlying health conditions like cancer, organ transplants, autoimmune disorders or chronic steroid use.
● Individuals who are positive with COVID-19 with mild or moderate symptoms.
Patients who SHOULD NOT receive doses of COVID-19 antibody therapy:
● Patients with severe symptoms, and anyone who is requiring increased oxygen due to being positive with COVID-19.
● Anyone who is exposed to COVID-19 but has been vaccinated and can mount a good response.
StarMed’s location at 501 Doctors Drive in Elizabethtown also will provide COVID-19 testing. Patients of all ages can be tested for the virus. There is no cost, with or without insurance. No referrals are necessary, and walk-up patients are welcome. The test involves a gentle nasal swab, followed by a 15-minute antigen testing.
“I tested COVID positive on Sunday, August the 15th. I was having some bad fever-like symptoms … with chills, a bad headache, and body aches. The next day I signed up for StarMed Healthcare’s monoclonal antibody treatment and it did wonders for me. Today is Tuesday, August the 17th, the day after I had the treatment, and I’m almost completely symptom-free,” said one of our patients in a recent testimonial!
StarMed Healthcare is valued on accessible modern facilities, trusted and professional healthcare, and diversity and affordability.
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