Columbus Regional Health continues to utilize the benefits of convalescent plasma as a reliable and effective therapy for patients hospitalized by COVID-19. The program began in the spring when CRH enrolled as an official participant through a partnership with Mayo Clinic and national blood research institute Versiti. Columbus Regional Health has since administered 257 units of convalescent plasma, treating 255 patients.

“We continue to witness the benefit convalescent plasma can play in our repertoire of therapies and treatments for our hospitalized covid patients, especially when delivered early on,” said Dr. Raymond Lee Kiser, medical director of Hospital Care Physicians of Columbus Regional Health.

Due to recent increases in hospitalizations and thus a higher need for inpatient therapies, such as plasma, nearly 80 of those units have been administered within the past three weeks alone. Kiser urges anyone who is eligible to consider donating plasma, as the need continues to rise.

 “As community spread continues at all-time highs, our hospitalizations are higher than ever, as well,” he said. “That means we have many more patients who continue to get very ill from this virus and need the advantage this type of therapy can provide.”

Donors needed. Potential donors who are eligible for the program will be able to donate at a Versiti Blood Bank location in Indianapolis or the mobile unit that visits Columbus weekly. Their plasma will be used to treat patients in Bartholomew County and surrounding areas. In order to donate, a person must be at least 18 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and meet the following additional requirements: 

• Have either one positive molecular test or two antibody screenings and be symptom free for 14 days
• All blood donors are screened for COVID-19 antibodies. Results are available on the donor portal and donors with positive results will also be notified

Visit Versiti.org/covid19plasma for more information.

Background on the Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma Program: Columbus Regional Health is an official participant in the Expanded Access to Convalescent Plasma Program, which is designed to provide plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19 to severely ill patients suffering from the disease. Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients contains antibodies that may help fight the disease; therefore patients with COVID-19 may improve faster if they receive the convalescent plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood and it contains antibodies that help fight off infection.