AUSTIN, Texas — Regional infusion centers are popping across Texas to help deliver antibody therapy to COVID-19 positive patients, but the resources are underutilized. It’s why the infusion center in Austin has established a call center to help improve access to the free treatment.

Chance Karshens, Texas Emergency Medical Task Force coordinator for Region 7, was in charge of setting up the tented facility in southeast Austin. Initially the goal of Austin’s Regional Infusion Center was to relieve pressure being placed on area health care systems that were being overwhelmed with COVID-19 hospitalizations. Until January, hospitals were the only places where coronavirus patients could receive monoclonal antibody therapy.

Just a couple of weeks after opening the treatment center, Karshens’ team expanded the facility’s footprint to grow their patient capacity.

"Increase the capacity to 32 beds - which will go from 24 patients a day up to 60-70 a day,” commented Karshens.

The number of patients they’re actually seeing, is a lot less than that. Karshens said there’s two reasons for that; many people don’t know the resource exists, and they need a doctor’s referral to be seen.

"The problem with that is not everybody has access to a health care provider or a doctor,” lamented Karshens.

But now they’ve created a way for patients without a primary care physician to get a referral for treatment. 

"We're able to help those that are in the underserved areas and may not have access to health care providers or doctors, by giving them a free screening,” said Karshens. “That doctor referral that's needed can now be handled by doctors on site at the regional infusion center."

Patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last ten days, and are considered to be high-risk, are eligible for the free therapy. Those who fit the criteria, and lack a doctor or insurance, are encouraged to call the Austin Regional Infusion Center’s call center to speak with an RN. The nurse will ask questions to determine whether the treatment is suggested, and forward that information onto one of the doctors at the RIC.

The RIC has bilingual staff on site to ensure Spanish-speaking patients have the same access to care. Both the RIC and call center are open seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you meet the criteria, call 512-861-3630.