ThedaCare Thanks Team Members and Communities for Continued Support of COVID-19 Services

ThedaCare Thanks Team Members and Communities for Continued Support of COVID-19 Services

Updates COVID-Related Care Options to Move Forward Safely, Together   After more than two years of navigating a global pandemic, COVID numbers continue to decline overall. Our communities are taking a moment to catch our collective breath and begin our path toward healing and moving forward safely.   “As we get to this promising milestone, ThedaCare would like to thank patients, families and community members for their support throughout this pandemic,” said Imran A. Andrabi, MD, President and CEO of ThedaCare. “From food donations to helping us secure necessary PPE at the beginning, to rallying with us, encouraging masking and safe vaccinations,...

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ThedaCare Continues Effective Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19

ThedaCare Continues Effective Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19

Team Member Dedication Supports Successful Program    As another surge of COVID-19 infections began to develop in Northeast and Central Wisconsin in the fall of 2021, ThedaCare went into action to help community members diagnosed with the virus through Monoclonal antibody treatments.     Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) can help prevent or reduce hospitalization, reduce viral loads and lessen the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) gave emergency use authorization (EUA) to mAbs for the treatment of COVID-19 patients at high risk of developing a serious infection.     “Monoclonal antibodies are effective when given early in the course...

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Can Weight Loss Surgery Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?

Can Weight Loss Surgery Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?

From improving heart health to lowering a person’s diabetes risk, weight loss surgery can offer a variety of known benefits for people with obesity. And now a new study suggests another possible benefit: having weight loss surgery may help better prepare you to fight COVID-19 if you become infected with the virus.      About the Research  This study, published in JAMA Surgery, involved over 20,000 patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or higher. About 25% of those patients had weight loss surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic started (from 2004 to 2017). The other 75% of patients used...

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ThedaCare Offers Effective Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19

ThedaCare Offers Effective Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Treatment for COVID-19

Monoclonal antibodies are currently one of the most effective treatments for COVID-19 infections, significantly reducing the incidence of hospitalization and the severity of symptoms when administered within seven days of the onset of symptoms. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) authorized their use beginning in the fall of 2020.   “Monoclonal antibodies have been used for years in the treatment of a variety diseases,” said Montgomery Elmer, MD, Interim Medical Director of Primary Care for ThedaCare. “After the FDA authorized emergency use of the treatment for COVID-19, ThedaCare began offering it shortly after. In 2021, as we saw another COVID surge...

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At-Home Testing

Four Quick Facts About At-Home COVID-19 Testing  As COVID-19 continues to spread across our community, many people are looking for a quick way to know if they have the virus. Taking an at-home antigen COVID-19 test—also known as an over-the-counter test or self-test—can help you determine if you can go to work, attend an event, or take your trip. Here are four things to keep in mind about at-home COVID-19 tests.  At-home antigen COVID-19 tests are different than in-person PCR tests. “A rapid COVID-19 test detects molecules on the surface of the virus, which are called antigens. PCR tests, which...

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COVID-19, Testing Q&A With Dr. Baeseman

COVID-19, Testing Q&A With Dr. Baeseman

On Friday, January 14, we hosted ThedaCare Connection: A Live COVID-19 Q&A Facebook Event. During this special online discussion, Dr. Zachary Baeseman, a physician in Family Medicine and Obstetrics, answered questions about COVID-19 testing and the current state of the virus spread in our community. We’ve pulled together a few highlights based on our conversation.  

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