Initiating Early Review of Paxlovid Criteria with Suspected COVID + patients to Reduce Disqualification of Anti-Viral Therapy

Author

Emily Robinson, The University of Texas at El Paso

Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

DNP Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing (ND)

Department

Nursing

Chair

Roberta Durk-Gomez

Abstract

Introduction: Nearly 742 million cases of COVID have been detected since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and over 6 million people have lost their lives due to COVID or a COVID related illness. While Arizona’s COVID-19 emergency declaration ended on March 30, 2022, there are still nearly 100,000 new cases each week as of September 2023. Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) is an outpatient antiviral medication recommended for adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who have elevated risk of severe illness.

Aim/Methods: Regardless of vaccination status, taking Paxlovid within 5 days of diagnosis reduces the hospitalization rate by 51%. The majority of COVID positive patients not eligible to take Paxlovid is due to the missed 5-day window from symptom onset in which Paxlovid treatment must be initiated. This often happens because of delayed lab results or an inability to provide education and screen potential participants.

Results/Conclusion: Specifically, the Native American population is at high risk for hospitalization or severe progression of COVID infection due to the numerous comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism, and mental health disorders. By improving the process regarding screening for Paxlovid and ensuring necessary labs are done and patient meets criteria, it will allow more patients within the Gila River Indian Community to benefit from Paxlovid treatment and will decrease the disqualification rate due to the missed 5-day initiation window for Paxlovid start from date of symptom onset.

Implication to Practice: With these changes, the expected outcome is to increase the number of patients who qualify and accept Paxlovid treatment and report a positive response to the anti-viral regimen and report no hospitalization or worsening progression of symptoms due to COVID-19.

Recommended Citation

Robinson, Emily, "Initiating Early Review of Paxlovid Criteria with Suspected COVID + patients to Reduce Disqualification of Anti-Viral Therapy" (2024). Cohort XII. 12.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/cohort_12/12