Bon Secours offers plasma treatment for COVID-19

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Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has joined ranks with Prisma Health in offering investigative COVID-19 treatment using plasma from recovered patients.

The hospital system will use the Expanded Access Program for Convalescent Plasma, overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and directed by the Mayo Clinic, to aid patients with severe or life-threatening symptoms stemming from the new coronavirus, according to a news release.

Donors can have plasma samples drawn at Blood Connection locations if symptom-free for 28 days. One donation can aid up to four patients with the disease, according to the news release.

“In our ongoing effort to care for our communities, Bon Secours is facilitating access to investigational convalescent plasma through participation in the national Expanded Access treatment protocol,” Dr. Marcus Blackstone, chief clinical officer for Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, said in a statement. “We have established a network of participating blood suppliers that will work at the local level to supply hospitals with convalescent plasma. The key to the success of this program is the donor population.”

A list of participating blood donation centers is available online or by calling 888-700-9011.