Extract:
“Upon learning of the impending emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first monoclonal antibody therapy, our health system began working to operationalize the administration of a new ambulatory infusion unit.1 The ambulatory pharmacy manager was tasked with leading the effort and assembling the team. In the original brainstorm, discliplines included pharmacy, nursing, facilities, infection prevention and control, clinic administration, “pre-cert,” patient registration, and billing and finance. Potential locations were identified, and the team decided to use a temporary structure located outside the hospital near the emergency department entrance. The structure was readied for winter with insulation and an HVAC system, running water a locked refrigerator, and a medicine cabinet. The nursing department created a supply list, which was obtained by the materials management department within 24 hours.2,3 Infusion chairs, IV poles with pumps, and COWs (computers on wheels) were gathered from throughout the health system.”
“The new unit at this location was deemed the “infusion annex” and was to be staffed by infusion nursing personnel 7 days a week. Medications were to be compounded by the infusion pharmacy staff and delivered to the annex. This location would have capacity and staffing to treat 33 patients per day, utilizing 11 chairs from 0700 to 1730 daily. An emergency response plan was developed, k with portable oxygen, an emergency treatment cart, and infusion reaction treatments made available. Because of the unit’s proximity to the emergency department, patients could quickly be transported inside to be triaged by emergency personnel in the event of an urgent or emergent situation.”
Reference:Harris AK, Gibson AM, Spencer B, Stroud A, Huhnke G, Bohleber A, Hinton A, Hurley J. Rapid implementation of a new ambulatory infusion location for patients with COVID-19 to receive monoclonal antibody therapy. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2021 Jun 23;78(13):1166-1168. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxab054. PMID: 33599712; PMCID: PMC7929373.