Patient Care

Initial COVID Patient Testing

Discontinuation of COVID Precautions

Testing for Repeat COVID Patient Testing upon Readmission

Tocilizumab criteria for use in Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection

Restricted to Pulmonary/Critical Care or Infectious Diseases

Inclusion: 

  • Adult patient admitted to hospital with severe acute illness due to SARS-CoV-2
  • Critically-ill as defined by the need for HFNC (rate >30 L/min and FIO2 >0.4)/mechanical ventilation/vasopressors.  
  • Less than 24 hours have elapsed since respiratory or cardiovascular organ support.
  • Patient must receive corticosteroids in combination with the tocilizumab

Exclusion:

  • Death is deemed to be imminent and inevitable during the next 24 hours.
  • More than 14 days have elapsed while admitted to hospital with symptoms of an acute illness due to suspected or proven SARS-CoV-2

Dosing:

  • 8 mg/kg based on actual body weight; dose capped at 800 mg
    • One repeat dose is permitted within 12-to-24 hours after the initial dose.
    • <65 kg à 400 mg
    • 65-85 kg à 600 mg
    • >85 kg à 800 mg
    • Warning related to tuberculosis reactivation à send T SPOT (do not hold tocilizumab administration pending results)