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PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - The medical director at the Brighton Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Beaver County is denying a PA State Health Department Report that says the nursing home administered hydroxychloroquine to residents without state approval to fight COVID-19
The statement issued today by Dr. David Thimons says the Brighton medical team discussed plans in a meeting April 10 with the state where, “they granted us their consent and approval.”
Thimons adds they had full consent form residents or legal guardians.
State health inspection records say Brighton failed to obtain necessary approval of a medication not generally accepted in the medical community.
The report says 205 residents got the drug
Bright says it stopped using hydroxychloroquine when the FDA revoked emergency authorization on June 15.
The home has said patients suffered no negative effects from the drug.
Brighton was the hardest hit nursing home in the state during the April surge of the pandemic with at least 82 people dying.
Dr. Thimons’ statement in full reads:
“As residents in nursing homes across the country began dying at alarming rates from the rapid onslaught of the Coronavirus, it became a national medical priority to slow the progression and save lives. When the FDA authorized in March the emergency use of oral formulations of chloroquine phosphate (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, our medical team discussed the full details of our plans to incorporate it into our treatment regimens with our partners at the PA Department of Health in a meeting on April 10th, where they granted us their consent and approval. Like all medical treatments, hydroxychloroquine would have to be prescribed by a treating physician, with full prior consent of residents and/or their legal guardians. Facility staff only assist with administering medications. After the FDA revoked the emergency use authorization, our resident’s physicians immediately removed the drug from treatment regimens. This has been an unprecedented challenge across the country, and as the FDA and DOH guidance continues to evolve, we remain committed to using all approved clinical options to combat the COVID-19 crisis in our facility to keep our residents – who we consider family – safe. This battle against time and disease is not yet won, but at this time the Brighton facility remains free of COVID-19. We will continue to work closely with government health officials in full compliance and alignment with FDA and CDC guidance to provide the best possible care for our residents.”
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