Background
Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAb) are a promising therapy for early COVID-19, but effectiveness has not been confirmed in a real-world setting.
Methods
In this quasi-experimental pre-/post-implementation study, we estimated the effectiveness of MAb treatment within 7 days of symptom onset in high-risk ambulatory adults with COVID-19. The primary outcome was a composite of emergency department visit or hospitalization within 14 days of positive test. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and 14-day mortality. The average treatment effect in the treated for MAb therapy was estimated using inverse probability of treatment weighting and the impact of MAb implementation using propensity-weighted interrupted time series analysis.
Results
Pre-implementation (July-November, 2020), 7404 qualifying patients were identified. Post-implementation (December 2020-January 2021), 594 patients received MAb treatment and 5536 did not. The primary outcome occurred in 75 (12.6%) MAb recipients, 1018 (18.4%) contemporaneous controls and 1525 (20.6%) historical controls. MAb treatment was associated with decreased likelihood of emergency care or hospitalization, odds ratio 0.69 (95% CI 0.60-0.79). After implementation, the weighted probability that a given patient would require an emergency department visit or hospitalization decreased significantly (0.7% per day, 95% CI 0.03%-0.10%). Mortality was 0.2% (n=1) in the MAb group compared to 1.0% (n=71) and 1.0% (n=57) in pre- and post-implementation controls, respectively. Adverse events occurred in 7 (1.2%); 2 (0.3%) were considered serious.
Conclusions
MAb treatment of high-risk ambulatory patients with early COVID-19 was well-tolerated and likely effective at preventing the need for subsequent emergency department or hospital care.
Disaster preparedness and disaster response should be a capability of all academic health centers. The authors explore the potential role and impact of academic medical centers (AMC)s in disaster response. The National Disaster Medical System and the evolution of disaster medical assistance teams (DMAT) are described, and the experience at one AMC with DMAT is reviewed. The recent deployment of a DMAT sponsored by an AMC to the Hurricane Katrina disaster is described, and the experience is used to illustrate the opportunities and challenges of future disaster medical training, research, and practice at AMCs. AMCs are encouraged to identify an appropriate academic unit to house and nurture disaster-preparedness activities, participate in education programs for health professionals and the public, and perform research on disaster epidemiology and response. Networks of AMCs offer the potential of acting as a critical resource for those AMCs stricken by a disaster and for communities needing the infusion of highly trained and motivated health care providers. The Association of American Medical Colleges can play a critical role in assisting and coordinating AMC networks through its relationship with all AMCs and the federal government and by increasing the awareness of medical educators and researchers about this important, emerging area of medical knowledge.
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