TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Terre Haute Regional Hospital announced Tuesday that they were participating in FDA approved COVID-19 plasma study led by the Mayo Clinic.
Lindsay Stergar, Chief Operating Officer at Regional, said they are asking recovered COVID-19 patients to donate plasma in hopes of helping those who have severe cases of the virus.
“Because there is no current cure for COVID-19, it is our hope is to find solutions that will at least treat patients with COVID-19 and decrease their chances of dying from the virus,” she said.
Previous plasma studies have been used to treat other coronaviruses SARS-1 and MERS.
Stergar said they’re relying on those who have recovered to help those who cannot fight off the virus on their own.
“The more plasma that’s donated, the better chance we have of determining whether or not this is going to be a successful solution for patients currently with COVID-19,” Stergar explained.
Patients must be symptom free for at least two weeks before donating their plasma.
Dr. Dan Waxman, Senior Medical Director for Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, said patients must have been diagnosed in a medical facility.
“They really need to be 14 to 28 days symptom free. No fever and no respiratory symptoms and have that initial positive test,” Waxman said.
According to Waxman, one recovered patient’s plasma can help 1-3 ill patients battling the virus.
Stergar said they want to offer hope to patients and their loved ones.
“Anything that we can bring our patients and our families hope. And just to be honest the community in general, we’re excited about,” she noted.
Regional officials are encouraging recovered patients to reach out to their primary healthcare physician to determine whether or not they qualify to donate plasma.
