AdventHealth Among First To Offer Plasma Treatment For COVID-19

Posted

Orlando, FL - Blood plasma from people recovered from the COVID-19 virus is a cutting-edge treatment and a local hospital system is one of the first in the area to use it. AdventHealth reports that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration is facilitating access to the COVID-19 convalescent plasma for use in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening infections.

The idea is that the donated plasma, called convalescent plasma, has antibodies that will help fight the disease in patients who are suffering through it. “This is an extremely exciting development that shows promise in helping our sickest patients,” said Dr. Juliana Gaitan, who is leading the project. “We’re among the first hospitals in the country to begin offering this therapy.”

Recovered patients at least 15 days out from experiencing symptoms are eligible to donate.  OneBlood will collect the plasma, which can be collected either from whole-blood or plasma-only donors.

Prospective donors can get more information at oneblood.org.

convalescent plasma, AdventHealth, OneBlood