Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1282067
Loretto Partners with Clarity Clinical Research to test new COVID-19 drug for seniors LORET TO TOOK E ARLY action at t he st a r t of t he pa ndem ic to protect ou r communit y 's most v ulnerable popula- tion — a n ef for t t hat resu lted i n less t ha n 1% of residents testing positive for the v ir us. Now looking for wa rd to f uture protection a ga inst COV ID -19, Cla rit y Clinica l Resea rch is working w ith Loret to to launch a clinica l tria l w ith a n investigationa l treatment for people who were ex posed (or poten- tia lly exposed) to COV ID-19 to test the medication's abi lit y to reduce the risk of becoming infected for those liv ing in long term ca re faci lities. T he d r u g i s a pos t- ex posu re pro - phyla ct ic a nd t he a ct ive i n g red ient , Nit a z ox a n ide , i s a l r e a d y a ppr ove d by t he F DA for a c ut e v i r a l re spi r a- tor y i l lnesses. "Nitazoxanide has been used to treat an estimated 400 million people world- wide. This means we a lready know the safety performance and side effects of this drug," says Lisa Sonneborn, M A , LMHC, Site Director for Clarity Clinical Research. Clarity Clinica l Research in East Syracuse is one of only two sites statewide leading this study. "The benefit of this study is that it only requires one person to test positive for COVID-19,because that allows Clarity Clinical Research to open up participa- tion in this trial with all residents at the facility who may have been exposed to the individual who tested positive," says Julie Sheedy, Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer at Loretto. "Eligibility does not require every participant to test positive for COVID-19." The study is being offered exclusively to qualifying Loretto residents at The Bernardine, Sedgwick Heights, Buckley Landing, and The Nottingham. "Residents at these facilities tend to have the highest levels of independence and can meet the study's requirements, including making medical decisions and diary keeping," Sheedy says. This is one of many studies the clinical research company in East Syracuse offers. Clarity has been a leader in Alzheimer's a nd dementia resea rch, focusing on evaluating treatments to slow or stop the progression of memory loss. The research clinic has found new a nd innovative ways to continue enrolling patients into Alzheimer's trials despite the challenges caused by COVID-19. Using telehealth and virtual memory screening, Clarity has long supported national trials in the search for a cure for Alzheimer's disease. In addition to partnering with Clarity Clinical Research to offer innovative trials to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Loretto has also partnered with other companies that offer groundbreaking technolog y to keep its residents sa fe and healthy. Loretto has had a long partnership with ImagineMIC, a health-monitoring device that tracks a person's vital signs and other important health indicators 24/7. The health data is collected and monitored by a tea m of physicia ns a nd medica l staff 24 hours a day. Participants of the telehealth device have access to that team of medical professionals around the clock. In April, Loretto rolled out MonitorMe, a second-generation health-monitoring device a lso made by ImagineMIC. To date, close to 100 Loretto residents and program participants have enrolled in these two telehealth programs and the results are overwhelmingly positive. COV ID -19 ha s cer t a i n ly cha nged the way healthcare providers care for patients. Loretto is committed to offering new technology and forging new partner- ships, while Clarity Clinical Research continues to be on the cutting edge of offering innovative studies that benefit our community. Their individual efforts and their partnership will help keep our most vulnerable population safe and healthy. n 2 2