COVID-19 Treatment Options & General Information
The Heights Emergency Room offers private patient rooms with safe, sterilized air filtration. In addition to the sterilization measures we offer to patients at our facility, The Heights Emergency Room offers the following treatment options for COVID-19.
If you’re feeling ill, get tested for COVID-19
If you or a loved one have reason to believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, or are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, our facility offers rapid testing, with results being available within 15 minutes, as well as COVID-19 antibody testing. However, due to the current demand for COVID-19 testing, we recommend checking in for testing only if you are currently showing symptoms, or are considered at high risk for severe COVID-19 complications.
If you have had exposure to someone who has recently tested positive (between 3 and 10 days ago), we recommend having a full medical evaluation done at our facility, even if you aren’t showing symptoms. This is especially true if any of the following apply to you:
- You are overweight, and have a BMI over 30%
- You are aged 60 or older.
- You have high blood pressure.
- You are diabetic.
If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19:
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, our facility has many treatment options available to you to help alleviate, and in some cases eradicate, COVID-19 symptoms and get you feeling like yourself again.
COVID-19 Treatment Options Available at The Heights Emergency Room:
Bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) [bam-la-niv-a-mab] – Bamlanivimab is authorized for patients with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are 12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds), and who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. This includes those who are 65 years of age or older, or who have certain chronic medical conditions.
Remdesmivir (GS-5734) [rem-des-mi-vir] – Remdesmivir is an injection which can help reduce symptoms by inhibiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus inside the body.
Decadron [dec-a-dron] – Decadron is an anti-inflammatory drug, and works by suppressing inflammation and the immune system, both of which are activated in the course of COVID-19 infection.
Lovenox & Heparin – Blood thinners are used for anticoagulation treatment in patients to prevent blood clots caused by COVID-19, which can lead to stroke and other complications.
IV NAC N–acetylcysteine (NAC) is inexpensive, has very low toxicity, has been FDA approved for many years, and has the potential to improve therapeutic strategies for COVID-19. NAC administered intravenously, orally, or inhaled, may suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication and may improve outcomes if used in a timely manner.
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy – Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, also called monoclonal antibody infusion treatment, is a new way of treating COVID-19 for individuals who have tested positive for the virus and are at high risk for developing severe illness.
For Co-Infections (COVID-19 & Another Illness):
Tamiflu – Tamiflu is given to patients experiencing a co-infection of COVID-19 and the Flu. Tamiflu is administered in addition to the above listed COVID-19 treatments.
Xzofluza – Xzofluza is administered as a one-dose treatment for the Flu, and is given in addition to the above COVID-19 treatments.
IV & Oral Antibiotics – For patients experiencing a co-infection of COVID-19 and a bacterial infection, antibiotics can be prescribed in addition to the above COVID-19 treatments to help fight the bacterial infection.
In addition to COVID-19 treatments, our facilities are also able to provide “take-home” oxygen and concentrators to aid with your recovery.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
At this time, The Heights Emergency room is not providing vaccinations to the general public. Vaccinations, when available, are being administered to previous patients who qualify for the current vaccine phase. If you have been a patient at our facility before, we will reach out to you via the contact information we have on file for registration and scheduling of your COVID-19 vaccine, there is no need to call us to register. All vaccinations are subject to availability of doses, and we can not guarantee when more doses will be available, as supply is extremely limited at this time.
Update: As of Monday, March 29, 2021, everyone age 16 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas.
This includes all front-line healthcare workers included in Phase 1A, as well as people 65+ or people 16+ with a health condition that increases risk of severe COVID‑19 illness, including but not limited to:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Down Syndrome
- Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Organ transplantation
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick:
Follow the steps below: If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
Stay home except to get medical care:
- Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
- Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
- Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Wear a face mask if you are sick.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
- Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean your hands often
- Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.