Beaumont-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.comThe Michigan Connection: How a near-fatal shooting on Mackinac Island changed medical knowledge forever
Have you ever noticed that there’s always a Michigan connection in nearly every major story? Or that when you go on vacation, you always seem to meet other people from Michigan? Whether it’s some sort of statistical bias of some kind or not, it feels right, right?
Former 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.
mlive.comBeaumont Health changes visitation policy after inpatient COVID-19 numbers decline
Visitation will be permitted for patients who do not have or are not suspected of having COVID-19 at all Beaumont Health locations starting Monday, Feb. 15, according to an update from the health system. The change was made to support “on-site family presence and care planning discussions.” It comes as inpatient COVID-19 numbers have declined. This new guidance still has limitations due to continued coronavirus spread in metro Detroit, as well as Oakland and Wayne counties, said Beaumont Health Chief Nursing Officer Susan Grant in a release. The update was made as coronavirus cases decline statewide. Michigan health leaders reported 852 new coronavirus cases and 88 deaths for Saturday, Feb. 13, as the seven-day average of cases is the lowest since the first week of October.
mlive.comNew research from West Michigan institute links gut microbes to Parkinson’s
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — New research coming from Michigan-based researchers seems to indicate that the microbes in the gut may play a key role in some of the development of Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder affecting over 10 million people worldwide. Dr. Stewart Graham, director of Metabolomics Research at Beaumont Health, said he has been involved in previous research involving Parkinson’s in the blood and brain, but the connection between the brain and gut felt natural due to their close relationship. “If you talk to any scientist that’s interested in the gut or the microbiome, they’re going to tell you that the gut is also the second brain of the body,” Graham said. Fox Foundation to gain study samples, which would take steps to create a reliable test and potentially push scholarship further. Down the road, Graham said the group hopes to see this information pan out to help with treatment for Parkinson’s.
mlive.comFrontline Beaumont Health Employees Receive 2nd Pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine Dose
(CBS Detroit)– Some Beaumont front line workers rolling up their sleeves once again as they receive their 2nd and final dose of the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday. On December 15th Director of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention Dr. Nick Gilpin was the first Beaumont employee to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Now exactly 3 weeks later, he’s the first to receive the 2nd dose. Like nurse Saaja Rayford, who’s also receiving her second dose. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
detroit.cbslocal.comCOVID-19 Jingles: Michigan health system remixes holiday songs with pandemic advice
DETROIT – A Michigan healthcare system that has battled the worst of Michigan’s COVID-19 outbreak is getting in the holiday spirit by swapping out the lyrics of classic Christmas songs to offer advice for this year’s festivities. 🥁 Posted by Beaumont Health on Tuesday, December 22, 2020Listen to the song - with its original lyrics - below. 🎶 Posted by Beaumont Health on Thursday, December 24, 2020Take listen to the song below. 🎶 Posted by Beaumont Health on Monday, December 21, 2020Listen to the song below. Beaumont Health is a hospital system in Wayne County where 461 new coronavirus cases were reported Wednesday - the most of any Michigan county.
mlive.comCOVID-19 vaccines arrive at Michigan hospitals, Wayne County
Photo courtesy: Henry Ford Health SystemMICHIGAN — The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrived at various Michigan hospitals this week, as immunization began in hard-hit epicenters of the pandemic in places like Wayne County. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun joined several frontline health care workers at Henry Ford Health System hospitals in getting the shot. Frontline health care workers at two Michigan hospitals were the first people to receive the new COVID-19 vaccines on Monday. The Wayne County Public Health Division is set to administer and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to health care workers on Friday morning at the Wayne County Health Administration Building. 1,950 doses of the vaccine arrived in Wayne County Thursday morning.
arabamericannews.comAs COVID-19 cases rise, Beaumont hospitals forced to reinstate strict visitor limitations
Beaumont HealthEight months after Michigan's first cases of coronavirus were reported, metro Detroit hospitals are once again establishing strict limitations on visitors as COVID-19 cases throughout the state surge.As of Tuesday, Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak, Troy, and Grosse Pointe are no longer permitting visitors in rooms housing patients with COVID-19 or have their tests pending. Exceptions are cases where a patient is under 21 years old, is a woman in labor, or “approaching the end of life.” Per a press release , all exceptions, including “extreme circumstances where the benefits of presence outweigh the risk of COVID-19 exposure,” must be approved by clinical leadership.“We’ve had a notable rise in COVID-19 cases in metro Detroit,” Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Beaumont Health said in a press release. “Community positivity rates have jumped to 8-11% in the area. Last spring, we took care of the most COVID-19 patients in the state and we know that taking difficult steps like restricting visitors will help us keep our patients and our staff safe.”Though Beaumont hospitals are continuing to encourage people to continue to seek out medical care at their metro Detroit campuses for general testing, emergency visits, or surgical procedures, they are limiting visitors to just one family member or friend for non-COVID patients, except in cases where someone is in critical condition, emergency care, or hospice; patients undergoing surgery; adult patients with cognitive, physical, or mental disabilities; patients in labor experience complications, in which case both a doula and a partner are allowed; and children 21 and under are permitted to have two parents present.However, these exceptions are only applicable as long as the visiting friend, partner, or family member “screens negative for symptoms of respiratory infection.”According to data released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan hospitalizations have increased by 215% and patients on ventilators have increased by 146% since Oct. 14.On Monday, Michigan reported 9,010 new coronavirus cases and 62 deaths, pushing statewide totals to 216,804 cases and 7,640 deaths.
metrotimes.com