COVID-19 treatment expands on Maui

KAHULUI, MAUI, Hawaii — The Valley Isle now has more capacity to treat COVID-19 patients and help reduce the risk of hospitalizations. Maui Health and Kaiser Permanente are partnering to increase access to monoclonal antibody treatment, an FDA approved treatment for reducing severity of COVID-19 symptoms in positive individuals at risk for developing severe disease. 

The new treatment center opens September 22, 2021, and will operate 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Maui Lani Medical Office with assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency nurses provided by Maui Health.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is a form of immunotherapy to fight viral infections. The treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19 by as much as 70%.

The treatment is highly effective for patients who are early in their COVID-19-positive diagnosis. Patients need to be within 10 days of onset of mild to moderate symptoms and at high risk for progressing to severe symptoms and/or hospitalization. Some of these risk factors include a body mass index greater than 25, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, immunocompromised disorders, and other ongoing health conditions. 

To expedite an appointment, a physician referral is recommended; however, patients can self-refer and be assessed onsite. For a complete list of qualified risk factors and criteria, please visit mauihealth.org/MAB. To schedule an appointment, please call 808-600-2785 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

About Maui Health

Maui Health, aka Maui Health System, community hospitals and associated clinics affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, includes Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital and associated clinics, and serves the people of Maui and Lanai. The facilities under Maui Health employ more than 1500 Maui County residents, partner with over 460 hospital-based physicians, clinicians, and community-based primary and specialty physicians, and are open to all patients regardless of health insurance coverage. Maui Health is committed to delivering high quality, affordable, patient-centered health care and improving the health of the community. Maui Health is supported by Kaiser Permanente’s industry-leading technology systems, evidence-based medicine and nationally recognized care quality. For more information, visit mauihealth.org.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve approximately 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.