The Elm

The Maryland Department of Health has asked for four sites to be set up in Maryland to infuse monoclonal antibodies to treat ambulatory patients with COVID-19. The field hospital at the Baltimore Convention Center is one of those sites. We are looking for nurses who may want this opportunity. The current rate is $60/hr. Interested nurses should contact Deborah Baker at dbaker5@jhmi.edu.

Background: In response to the recent Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Order, the State of Maryland Department of Health has made a request of four alternative care sites to administer the medication, bamlanivimab, for the emergency use for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age or older weighing at least 40 kilograms, and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. The Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) will participate as one of these regional infusion care centers.
 
Assumptions: The weekly allotment of bamlaminivab that will be provided to the BCCFH is approximately 416 individual doses. Bamlaminivab is administered via intravenous injection over 1 hour with an additional hour of observation. Each administration is planned for 3 hours to include registration/check-in, insertion of peripheral IV, medication administration, documentation, observation, teaching, and discharge.
 
Additional Assumptions:

• 60 patients/day (7 day model)
• Infusion Center closed on national holidays
• RN/RN support model
• Visits at appointed times throughout the day

Proposed Hours of Operation: Daily 0800-1630 (8 hours)
 
Requirements:

• Don/doff Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) safely and consistently, without safety breaches
• Patient Admission
• Review of Medication Profile/Allergies/Reactions, History, Fall Risk
• Screening for concurrent illness
• Review consent for treatment
• Patient Assessment
• Vital Signs including Pulse Oximetry - recognition of VS that are abnormal
• Ability to recognize deterioration in patient's clinical status
• Ability to recognize and respond, along with a care team, to adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis, respiratory and/or cardiac arrest
• Proficiency with peripheral IV placement, including difficult placement scenarios (pediatric and adult populations), and recognition of extravasation
• Medication Delivery (IV) via IV pump
• Documentation: familiarity with electronic medical record (EMR) documentation (Epic)
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and work in a fast-paced infusion center environment
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Patient Discharge - Education, review "After Visit Summary" including signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction, and need to seek medical care, as appropriate