AdventHealth Announces Groundbreaking Coronavirus Protocol

OCALA, FL — For months, researchers around the world have worked to find fast and effective ways to treat and care for patients who have been hospitalized for coronavirus. Now, AdventHealth Ocala has announced a new groundbreaking protocol for a drug therapy developed by the hospital's director of pharmacy and a team of physicians.

The drug combination protocol, known as ICAM, uses readily available medications such as vitamins to boost the immune system, steroids to control inflammation, blood thinners to prevent blood clots and antibiotics to help fight infection.

"For 76 days our patients had zero transfers to the intensive care unit, zero mechanical ventilator placement and zero death with ICAM and ICAM-similar regimens. I was absolutely pleased to see our patients getting better faster, and we were able to provide the guidance needed to save lives," said Dr. Carlette Norwood-Williams, director of pharmacy, AdventHealth Ocala. "Our research shows the right medication can influence improvements in a COVID-19 patient's inflammatory marker response, contributing to survival of the virus, regardless of age or comorbidity if they can start the therapy as soon as they are diagnosed."

In this pioneering research, AdventHealth Ocala has seen an unprecedented 96.4 percent success rate in patients who received only the ICAM protocol immediately after they were admitted.

"I am hopeful that what we've done can become a powerful ally in the hands of health care providers to combat this virus, and I am excited to see the expertise of our team of dedicated clinicians and researchers at AdventHealth Ocala be part of something that can help our community and beyond," said Joe Johnson, president and CEO of AdventHealth Ocala.

The ICAM protocol provides researchers and health care professionals with access to an additional tool to provide treatment to fight the coronavirus. The goal is to replicate the work of the clinical team at AdventHealth Ocala and potentially lower mortality rates in coronavirus patients around the world.

"We've seen firsthand the impact this virus has on the people we care for each day," said Dr. Ken Barrick, ER medical eirector, AdventHealth Ocala. "Grandparents haven't held their grandchildren in months, patients too afraid to come to the ER are suffering and missing much-needed care, and parents missed out on seeing their children walk across a stage for graduation. The impact of this disease goes without measure. People are afraid, and with good reason, for there has truly been no clear treatment protocol to prevent the progression of the disease, until now."

Courtesy AdventHealth