When battling multiple infections, infants and toddlers at higher risk of severe outcomes, study suggests
In fact, the odds of severe disease were 65 percent lower during omicron compared to alpha. However, if other respiratory viruses such as the flu or RSV were involved with any of the variants, severe outcomes more than doubled, with infants and toddlers being at a significantly higher risk. “Younger kids who were infected with multiple viruses at the same time demonstrated a significantly higher need for oxygen therapy and ICU-level care,” Dr. Bahl said. According to Bahl, the biggest takeaway for parents is remembering to take preventative measures when it comes to their children. – Source: Corewell Health East, formerly Beaumont Health.
arabamericannews.comBOE considers health clinic at North
THE GROSSE POINTES — At the Nov. 14 Grosse Pointe Public School System Board of Education meeting, a proposal to open a health clinic at Grosse Pointe North High School was presented to the school board by Jeff Cook, senior director of community health and health equity at Corewell Health, formerly known as Beaumont Health.
grossepointenews.comSome Michigan hospitals limit child visitors due to spike in respiratory viral illness
Corewell Health East, formerly Beaumont Health, is restricting child visitors because of high volumes of patients with respiratory viral illness, including respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Children 5 and younger are the largest group of patients visiting emergency departments in southeast Michigan, the Oakland County Health Division reported. “Everyone can do their part to help stop or limit the spread of respiratory illnesses in our community. Michigan doesn’t track RSV by case counts, though the CDC does have some data on lab-based testing. Like other viruses, RSV spreads through respiratory droplets that are shed when an individual talks, coughs, or sneezes.
mlive.comNew health system, created through Spectrum and Beaumont merger, announces its name
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — BHSH System, which launched earlier this year when Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health merged, is rebranding as Corewell Health. Over the next two years, the health system will install new signs for its hospitals, clinics and other properties throughout the state, the health system announced Tuesday in a news release. In Grand Rapids, for example, Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital will now be called Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital.
mlive.comBeaumont adds to fleet of surgical robots
Dr. Krikor Arman sits at the console and uses the remote hand controls to demonstrate how the operation is conducted. CITY OF GROSSE POINTE — Prior to the recent addition of a second da Vinci robotic surgical system, Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe already was conducting more than 400 robotic surgeries a year. The second system,
grossepointenews.comBeaumont-Spectrum Health backtracks on abortion guidance, says current policy will continue
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, Michigan’s largest health system, Beaumont-Spectrum Health, said it would discontinue most abortion services, despite the fact that the procedure remains legal in the state.
Spectrum Health to invest $19M to launch nurse education partnership with GVSU
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A newly launched health system by Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health will invest $19 million to launch a nursing education partnership with Grand Valley State University. The BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan Nurse Scholar program is being created to address a “severe talent shortage in nursing,” according to a news release. It aims to address the talent shortage by removing financial barriers to college and creating a smoother path to employment at Spectrum Health. “This program is a huge leap forward and a model for other high need fields.”Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health launched their new, combined health system on Feb. 1. The new health system has more than 64,000 employees, including more than 11,500 physicians and more than 15,000 nurses, as well as 22 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations.
mlive.comBeaumont frontliners transform tough experiences into song
Meanwhile, health care workers continue to show up and face a harsh reality every day: more COVID patients and worsening conditions – and many adults who chose not to get vaccinated. As more than 50 million American adults struggle with mental health, Beaumont Health is hoping to be proactive for their own employees. The health system invited workers from different departments and hospitals across metro Detroit to come together for an out-of-the-box experience. Sarah Rauner, a Chief Nurse Practitioner at Beaumont Health says she was reluctant when she received an invite to a session. Beaumont Health says it hopes to introduce more therapeutic and unique employee opportunities in the months to come.
wxyz.comYou have been infected during the omicron surge. How long are you protected?
Initial data show someone who has been infected with omicron is pretty well protected against its predecessor delta, she said. Those who had both been infected and vaccinated were shown to be best protected. Those with natural immunity alone had rates 29 fold lower in California and 14.7 fold lower in New York. They are also quick to caution against relying on natural infection as a method of protection against future illness. What we’ve learned about Omicron so far, and what you need to know if you’ve been infected
mlive.comMetro Detroit neurosurgeon urgently needs liver transplant from living donor
For decades, a Metro Detroit neurosurgeon saved the lives of his patients. Now, Dr. Ken Casey needs a liver transplant. After his diagnosis during the summer of 2021, the entire family has been trying to find an organ donor.
No layoffs planned as Spectrum-Beaumont Health merger completed, executive says
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health and Southfield-based Beaumont Health say they have completed their merger, first announced in June, and are set to begin operating as a unified health system on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The new health system will have offices in Grand Rapids and Southfield, and will be led by Tina Freese Decker, who has served as Spectrum’s president and CEO since September 2018. It will have more than 64,000 employees, 22 hospitals and more than 300 outpatient locations. The new health system will temporarily be known as BHSH System.
mlive.comSpectrum Health, Beaumont Health to launch new health system Feb. 1
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health say they will launch a new, combined health system on Feb. 1. Related: Spectrum Health, Beaumont Health explore merger to create massive systemTina Freese Decker, president and CEO of Spectrum Health, will lead the new health system, which is temporarily being called BHSH System. “As we launch our new health system, we have a bold goal to transform health and are thrilled to unite our two great organizations. Leaders from Spectrum and Beaumont are slated to discuss the new health system at a 1 p.m. news conference. Read more:Former Spectrum Health CFO sees ‘potential for massive financial loss’ in Beaumont merger52-unit, income-restricted apartment building planned for Grand Rapids neighborhoodWhat you need to know about the Michigan International Auto Show returning to Grand Rapids
mlive.comHospitals in southeast Michigan, hit hardest by omicron, begin to see some hopeful signs
Hospitals in the Detroit area were seeing some hopeful signs this week as the number of COVID-19 patients, though still high, decreased. Cases in southeast Michigan have plateaued while they are increasing in other regions of the state, according to a weekly state report and recent Michigan data. As of Friday, the regions, the most populous in Michigan, had 2,377 total patients with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19. In December, there were more than 1,000 COVID-19 patients in intensive care. Michigan hospitals have not tracked and reported this information.
mlive.comConfirmed omicron cases more than double in last week as ‘juggernaut’ variant races through Michigan
The number of confirmed omicron cases in the state has more than doubled in the last week. Michigan now is reporting 617 total cases in 41 of 83 counties and the Michigan Department of Corrections. A week ago, there were less than 300 confirmed cases in 18 counties. As of Tuesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 95% of U.S. cases were omicron. RELATED: Michigan reports 44,524 new, reported COVID-19 cases in two days ending Monday, Jan. 10The United States is seeing high case counts across the country.
mlive.comMercy Health Muskegon sets up outdoor waiting room tent as intensive care unit hits 140% occupancy
MUSKEGON, MI – Mercy Health Muskegon has set up an outdoor tent to handle high patient volumes. Related: Patients staying at hospitals longer during latest COVID-19 swellWith 317 total patients, Mercy Health Muskegon is 96% full. Eight COVID-19 patients, all of whom are unvaccinated, are on ventilators. On Thursday, Jan. 6, Beaumont Health announced it reached a “breaking point” when COVID-19 patients climbed 40% in a week. Mercy Health also asks patients without emergency medical needs to call a primary care physician or visit an urgent care facility instead of going to the hospital’s emergency room.
mlive.comNo Field Hospitals Yet for Omicron Surge In Part Due to Staffing Issues, Whitmer Says
Gretchen Whitmer points to staffing problems as one major reason why the state has not begun to organize and build large field hospitals to help relieve the burden on Michigan’s overloaded health care systems. “Every one of us is at risk if our hospital systems are at breaking points, like we know Beaumont is at the moment.” —Gov. Gretchen Whitmer talks about the state’s response to the omicron surge and policy priorities in 2022. ”One of the issues with a field hospital is staffing. “Every one of us is at risk if our hospital systems are at breaking points, like we know Beaumont is at the moment,” Whitmer says.
wdet.orgGet Caught Up: Takeaways from expert’s Metro Detroit COVID update amid ‘4th virus surge’
A Beaumont Health expert provided a concerning update about COVID and hospital trends in Metro Detroit, calling this the “fourth surge” and sharing three reasons why he believes numbers are once again on the rise.
Michigan Matters: Helping Women and Improving Health in Region
Trailblazing Entertainment and Media Executive Nancy Tellem moved to Detroit and just opened BasBlue – a place to empower women from a historic building near DIA. Then Alisha Bell, chair of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, talks...
detroit.cbslocal.comNurses needed: Beaumont offering signing bonus amid staff shortage
Visit any floor in any hospital, and most of them are going to look like controlled chaos, a constant hustle and bustle of staff and patients.And those keeping that chaos under control are the nurses -- but they’re in low supply these days.
Spectrum, Beaumont Health merger delayed by ‘surge’ in Federal Trade Commission filings
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A proposed merger between Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health is not expected to be completed this fall as originally expected. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which must review the merger, “is experiencing a surge in filings across all industries and will take longer than originally anticipated to review” the proposed merger, according to a Sept. 24 joint statement from the two health systems. It would combine two of the largest health systems in the state, with the newly created health system employing more than 64,000 people and generating an estimated $13 billion in revenue. Freese Decker would have offices in Grand Rapids and Southfield, with leadership teams in both communities. Read more:New minibar helps Grand Rapids Brewing Company tap into social districtsVolunteers sought to plant 250 trees on Grand Rapids’ South SideHealth officials call for school mask mandate in Michigan amidst ‘protest mobs,’ bullying
mlive.comBeaumont Health says emergency rooms are nearly full, has to close beds due to staff shortages
Beaumont Health, based in Southfield, is reporting its 10 emergency departments are nearly full, a problem intensified by staffing shortages and serious COVID-19 illness among people who are unvaccinated. The health system, with eight hospitals and 155 outpatient locations, is encouraging patients with nonemergent medical conditions to visit physician offices or urgent care sites. Most patients now populating Beaumont’s emergency departments have medical conditions and concerns other than COVID-19. Add in staffing shortages and “you have a perfect storm.”Earlier this week, Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System announced it too had to close beds at its five hospitals, mostly in Jackson and Detroit, because of staffing shortages. To ease the burden on emergency rooms, Beaumont urges patients to consider what justifies a visit and what does not.
mlive.comSpectrum, Beaumont Health take next step in planned merger
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Leaders at Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health have taken the next step toward creating a new health system. “Both Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health have rich histories with compassionate, high-quality and dedicated health care professionals.”Officials with Spectrum were not immediately available for an interview Thursday. Related: Former Spectrum Health CEO sees ‘potential massive financial loss’ in Beaumont merger“We are very pleased to be making important progress toward launching our new health system,” Beaumont Health Board Chair Julie Fream said in a statement. “Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health each have strong legacies of service. Improving health care quality, value and outcomes: Creating a new health system, which includes Priority Health, will allow for the development of and investment in innovative solutions that improve health care and coverage for all Michiganders.
mlive.com33 Michigan Counties Enter Higher-Risk Virus Threat
Nearly half of Michigan residents live in counties where the federal government is urging everyone ages 2 and over, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings because transmission of the coronavirus is “high” or...
detroit.cbslocal.comMore Michigan hospitals adopt employee COVID vaccine mandates
Beaumont Health became the latest Michigan health system to adopt a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its employees Wednesday, July 29. That’s closer to the policies previously announced by Henry Ford Health System and Trinity Health, which set deadlines of Sept. 10 and Sept. 21, respectively. “We have a duty to protect our patients and our staff,” said Beaumont Health CEO John Fox in a prepared statement. Related: Protesters of Trinity Health’s coronavirus vaccine mandate line street outside hospitalAs of Tuesday, July 27, more than 5.1 million Michigan residents have gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccine near you, visit Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.
mlive.comFormer Spectrum Health CFO sees ‘potential for massive financial loss’ in Beaumont merger
Rather, it would be from the financial assets of Spectrum Health and Priority Health, an insurance provider owned by Spectrum, no longer residing within a West Michigan-based institution, according to the letter. Freed, who also served as president of Spectrum-owned insurance provider Priority Health from 2012 to 2016, declined an interview request. One details a speculative scenario under which the newly merged health system, between Spectrum and Beaumont, were to sell Priority Health. Spectrum Health is fully committed to fulfilling its consent decree obligations and will continue to uphold its tenets. Freed says his financial recommendations, if Priority Health were to be sold, would result in a $4.4 billion dividend to the West Michigan community.
mlive.comBeaumont, Spectrum Health Merger Could Have Big Implications for Patients, Providers
Two of Michigan’s largest healthcare systems – Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health — announced on June 17 a plan to merge and form a new, mega-healthcare system that would be worth $12 billion and span 22 hospitals. Listen: Dustin Walsh explains the Spectrum and Beaumont mergerGuestDustin Walsh is a reporter with Crain’s Detroit Business covering healthcare. He says the two health systems have not released much information on how the merger would happen except that they will have headquarters in both Southfield and Grand Rapids. ”But, as someone that’s covered lots of mergers over the years … that seems sort of [like] a pipe dream.”According to Walsh, another factor in this merger is that Spectrum Health has an integrated health insurer with Priority Health. “Now they can bring that health plan to metro Detroit, which has the metro area alone [of] 4 million-plus people,” he says.
wdet.orgJob losses not expected in proposed Spectrum Health, Beaumont Health merger
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The proposed merger of Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health is not expected to result in job cuts or building closures “at this time,” Spectrum President and CEO Tina Freese Decker said in a press conference Thursday. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring together Spectrum Health and Beaumont Health,” Freese Decker said. Now that the two health systems have signed the letter of intent, officials are engaged in due diligence and integration planning. “In addition, Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health operate in distinct markets with no market overlap. A final name would be chosen following the completion of the merger, which could close this fall following regulatory approvals, Freese Decker said.
mlive.comSpectrum Health, Beaumont Health explore merger to create massive system
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Two of Michigan’s largest health systems are exploring a merger. Grand Rapids-based Spectrum Health and Southfield-based Beaumont Health announced Thursday that they’ve signed a letter of intent to explore creating a new health care system that would include more than 64,000 employees and roughly $13 billion in revenue. He will assist during the integration process but at the close he will be leaving.”The new health system would be massive. Beaumont Health has faced financial challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and has explored unsuccessful mergers in the past. The 16-member BHSH System board would include seven seats appointed by Beaumont Health and seven seats appointed by Spectrum Health.
mlive.comVisitation limits at Beaumont hospitals return as coronavirus cases rise
Beaumont Health announced its hospitals will have limited visitation, effective Thursday, March 25 at 8 a.m.Beaumont Health officials put restrictions in place to protect patients and staff as coronavirus cases continue to rise. Coronavirus cases have been rising overall, but especially in southeast Michigan where Beaumont Health hospitals are located. RELATED: Michigan reports 4,454 new coronavirus cases, 16 new deaths for Wednesday, March 24“We have noticed an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in metro Detroit over the past few weeks,” Dr. Nick Gilpin, Beaumont Health medical director of infection prevention and epidemiology, said in a release. Gilpin is happy vaccines are becoming more available, but difficult steps like restricting visitation are necessary at this time. We know that families are critical to the healing process,” said Susan Grant, Beaumont health chief nursing officer.
mlive.comBeaumont reinstates visitor restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases
All Beaumont Health hospitals will be reinstating their visitor restrictions due to rising COVID cases, effective at 8 a.m. March 25. DEARBORN — Effective March 25 at 8 a.m., all Beaumont Health hospitals will be reinstating their visitor restrictions due to rising COVID cases. This is the third time the health system has issued visitor restrictions. Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Beaumont Health, said that the decision was not easy. “We have noticed an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in Metro Detroit over the past few weeks,” he said.
arabamericannews.comBeaumont Health cancels 1,884 second dose appointments due to ‘unexpected’ vaccine shortage
SOUTHFIELD, MI -- A significant reduction in Michigan’s Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine allocation forced Beaumont Health was forced to cancel 1,884 second dose appointments scheduled for Feb. 18, the health system said Monday. In addition, the health system will not be able to open any more Pfizer first dose vaccine appointments at the Beaumont Service Center until additional vaccine is received. Our teams worked around the clock and throughout the weekend with the state to try and secure the second dose vaccine we requested,” Beaumont Health Chief Operating Officer Carolyn Wilson said. Beaumont says its working diligently to get more vaccine from the state to provide the required second dose in a timely manner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the vaccine remains effective when patients receive the second dose up to six weeks after the first dose.
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