HENRY FORD HEALTH

For the first time since the start of the COVID omicron surge in Michigan, hospital officials with the Henry Ford Health System said they’re starting to see some signs of early progress.

The omicron variant is spreading across Michigan and local hospitals are feeling the impact.

For nearly two years, health care workers have been giving so much in the battle against COVID.

Officials from Henry Ford Health System provided an update Wednesday on the state of COVID in Michigan, saying the current situation is a “crisis” and worse than a year ago.

Officials from Henry Ford Health System provided an update Wednesday on the state of COVID in Michigan, saying the current situation is a “crisis” and worse than a year ago.

Leadership from the Henry Ford Health System and Beaumont Health have warned the COVID surge is having serious effects on hospital operation and the ability of everyone to get care.

Every Halloween, the babies at Henry Ford Hospital are dressed in the most adorable costumes we’ve ever seen.

More than 300 Beaumont Health employees are now suspended after not getting the COVID vaccine by Monday’s deadline.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

A major Michigan heath care provider says it is looking overseas for hundreds of nurses.

As of Monday, 98% of all Henry Ford Health System employees were compliant with the system's COVID vaccine mandate.

As of Monday, 98% of all Henry Ford Health System employees were compliant with the system's COVID vaccine mandate.

A major health care provider in southeastern Michigan said 92% of employees were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by a Friday deadline.

All of Wednesday’s patient appointments are being rescheduled to other Henry Ford locations.

A community center in Southwest Detroit said it can double the number of women it can get screened for breast cancer thanks to a grant from the Empowerment Foundation.

Most large employers have an employee assistance program, but the Henry Ford Health System has taken it one step further.

Official’s with Henry Ford Health says there’s been a lot of COVID-19 vaccination myths circulating online, in an effort to get more people vaccinated, they say they want to set the record straight.

That first patient complained to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in 2004, but the complaint was dismissed because the doctor had no priors and agreed to take classes on professional sexual misconduct.

Only two Metro Detroit healthcare systems have mandated vaccines -- Henry Ford and Trinity Healthcare. Other big names, like Beaumont and Michigan Medicine, have not said whether they will follow suit.

Although official expect some push back the HFH employees we spoke with agrees with the hospital system requiring employees to be vaccinated.

All employees of Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) will soon be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, officials announced Tuesday.

Henry Ford Health System’s (HFHS) Macomb hospital is about to undergo its largest renovation in history.

To show appreciation for their hard word during the pandemic, Henry Ford Health providing weekly gift card drawings for employees. The program also supports local restaurants

In July of 2016, Molly Marco of Royal Oak was at a coffee shop in Detroit when she began to feel dizzy and nauseated.

With Thursday being Nurse Appreciation Day, many around the globe are celebrating the heroes of the hospital.

HFH the only hospital system in SW Michigan to use the Tyto home exam kit for virtual doctor exams. The device which connects through cell phones can perform several features heart rates, vitals, lung, ear and throat exams to name a few.

Every week, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services puts out new data on different aspects of the coronavirus pandemic.

DETROIT – Officials said Tuesday’s soft opening of the COVID-19 mass vaccination site at Ford Field was a success. With the site officially opening Wednesday, officials are getting ready for everybody, including those with disabilities or limited English. “We’ve been trying to be really thoughtful when it comes to language access, and people with disabilities making sure we have enough accessible vaccine pods for people with wheelchairs,” said Michigan Lt. Gov. Read: Ford Field COVID mass vaccination site prepared to open to thousandsAround 70 vaccination pods are set up and people who received the vaccine Tuesday said it was a very quick process. More: Registration for COVID-19 vaccine at Ford Field now open -- How to registerRelated News

Henry Ford Health preforms Michigan’s first COVID-linked double lung transplantDETROIT – Doctors at Henry Ford Hospital performed the first double lung transplant in Michigan that was linked to COVID-19. I was getting sick so fast,” Jackie Dennis said. Special education teacher Jackie Dennis was diagnosed with COVID in November of last year. Ad4 Fast FactsBe InformedMichigan has second-highest number of COVID variant cases in USMultiple variants of the COVID-19 virus are spreading throughout the United States. There is growing concern that they are not only more transmissible but might be able to evade the vaccines.

The newly constructed, state-of-the-art Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit’s New Center area has opened its doors for patients. “The opening of the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion marks the beginning of a new era in cancer care,” said Wright Lassiter, III, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. “This investment is a testament to decades of cancer care innovation at Henry Ford Hospital, where we’ve developed and delivered first in the world care. “This is a transcendent moment in the fight against cancer,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of Henry Ford Medical Group and Chief Academic Officer of Henry Ford Health System. “At a time when our society has endured extraordinary challenges, the opening of this new Henry Ford Cancer Institute location in Detroit is a beacon of hope in the lives of everyone affected by this disease.

Top Henry Ford Health doctor worried about Michigan COVID-19 deaths rising in near futureIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Michigan hospital leaders are worried about health care workers becoming exhausted by eight months of battling COVID-19 as hospitals start to fill up with patients once again. As state officials announce 6,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in Michigan, hospitalizations are starting to trend in wrong direction. During a virtual discussion with the presidents and CEOS of major Michigan health systems, the most pressing concern isn’t space, but staff availability. “It may not be access to a facility need, it may actually be staffing,” Decker said. So that has clearly been our top concern.”LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said Macomb County is a “pocket” of Michigan that struggles with COVID-19 mask compliance. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders. He said while most people in the state wear masks, there are “pockets” where compliance isn’t up to par. “I would say that while we do see mask usage in many places, there are pockets where there is not good compliance,” Lassiter said. “In the Henry Ford system, our Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has the highest volume by far.

The head of the hospital association in Michigan said one of the main problems with the spread of COVID-19 statewide is that people aren’t convinced certain safety measures are necessarily, so they aren’t going to follow them. Brian Peters, the CEO of the Michigan Heath and Hospital Association, joined top hospital officials Thursday for a virtual discussion about the state of Michigan’s COVID-19 pandemic. Yet Michigan is still seeing its largest spike in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with case totals and test positivity rates rising statewide. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysHe compared COVID-19 protocols to wearing seat belts on the road, saying people won’t follow rules unless they genuinely believe they are saving lives. He and Beaumont Health president and CEO John Fox both said visitors have even resisted simple COVID-19 safety measures while physically inside hospitals.

As the number of Michiganders hospitalized with COVID-19 rises again, hospitals aren’t planning to shut down elective surgeries. But if the health care system gets overwhelmed, that might be a measure of last resort. Most importantly, health care workers don’t want Michiganders to have to delay necessary care. While all the hospital leaders agreed they don’t want to shut down elective procedures, it’s possible the spread of COVID-19 could reach a point where that’s the only option. That means Michigan hospitals won’t easily be able to transfer patients elsewhere if they reach capacity in terms of space or workers.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is seeing its most rapid spread of COVID-19, and hospitals are trying to keep up without the same resources as the more populated areas of the state. Gar Atchison, the CEO of UP Health System-Marquette and market CEO of UP Health System, joined a discussion among state hospital system leaders Thursday to talk about how COVID-19 is being handled in the Upper Peninsula. “We are seeing some pretty rapid increases, some pretty alarming case rates.”Some hospitals and testing centers in the Upper Peninsula are seeing test positivity rates of 30% multiple days in a row, Atchison said. UP Health System-Marquette is the safety net hospital for the Upper Peninsula, so what happens when the region hits capacity is a major concern for Atchison. ICU capacity outside of Marquette is fairly limited, so that’s the number that I’m paying most attention to.”He said 61% of patients in ICU beds in the Upper Peninsula are COVID-19 patients.

Michigan’s top health officials are concerned about hospitals becoming overwhelmed again as the COVID-19 numbers across the state reach new levels. Early in the-19 pandemic, one of the major problems for Michigan was hospital capacity, as COVID-19 patients filled beds and the state was forced to set up alternate sites. “That’s one of the general concerns,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. Decker said another concern is staff members who have been fighting COVID-19 for the better part of eight months. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“Our team -- they’ve been dealing with this for a very long time, so they are tired,” Decker said.

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System wants Michiganders to follow the simple safety measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, but if they can’t, he said other steps might be necessary. “If doing the right thing and using ration and science isn’t sufficient, then there may be other steps that end up being necessary,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysThey said Michiganders should just follow four simple rules: Wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings. Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, during a COVID-19 discussion on Nov. 12, 2020. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow themLassiter said a broad-based shutdown of the state likely would not be effective.

As COVID-19 trends worsen dramatically across Michigan, are stricter government regulations inevitable? The presidents and CEOS of Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, Munson Healthcare and UP Health System-Marquette joined the discussion to highlight the alarming trajectory of COVID-19 numbers statewide. John Fox, president and CEO of Beaumont Health, said the tools to slow the spread of COVID-19 are already in place. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“The tools to control it are there. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow them“They’ve been much more targeted, where government did intervene,” Anderson said.

Leaders from four major hospital systems in Michigan came together Thursday to share the alarming trends they’re seeing as COVID-19 cases increase drastically statewide. “Our state is now in a phase of exponential increases in both COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations,” said Gerry Anderson, executive chairman at DTE Energy and a member of Gov. “Over the last five weeks, cases in Michigan are up more than five-fold,” Anderson said. Leaders of Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health and Munson Health shared some of the COVID-19 trends they’re seeing in their hospitals. Henry Ford Health SystemThe story is the same in Henry Ford hospitals, according to Wright Lassiter, the president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System.

Michigan hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients once again, and experts are warning residents that if this trend continues, it will be disastrous for the state’s health care system. The MHA represents all the hospitals and health systems throughout Michigan. “Our hospitals are rapidly filling with COVID-19 patients at a very alarming rate,” Peters said. He and other state health care leaders are concerned about what’s ahead for hospitals if the trends don’t reverse. The health care system can capsize if you don’t keep it under control.”

DETROIT – Henry Ford hospitals are tightening their visitor restrictions as COVID-19 cases surge in Michigan. On Tuesday, state officials reported a single-day high of 6,473 COVID-19 cases and 84 additional deaths. “While Henry Ford recognizes the importance of the support by loved ones during a patient’s hospitalization or when receiving care, and because we recognize the importance of family engagement to promote healing, any decision to restrict visitation and limit family presence is difficult,” Henry Ford Health System said in a statement. In areas where COVID-19 transmission is not as active, hospitals might maintain the most recent visitation policy: one adult visitor per patient. READ: 4 key data points that show extent of COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan right nowIn areas where COVID-19 transmission and COVID-19 hospitalizations are high, such as at Henry Ford Macomb and Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, the restrictions are much more stringent.

DETROIT – With COVID-19 cases rising exponentially in Michigan, local hospitals are starting to fill with new patients. RELATED: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 hospitalization data trendsBoth the Henry Ford Health and Beaumont Health systems have seen a rise in COVID-19 patients. As of 11 a.m. Friday, Henry Ford Health System had 226 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at its six hospitals. Physicians are urging residents to take coronavirus seriously. You can watch Paula Tutman’s full story in the video above.

Henry Ford Health System is partnering with Janssen Pharmaceuticals to carry out the third phase of a COVID-19 vaccine trial. The Metro Detroit health system is one of three sites in Michigan, and one of many around the world, that will test the “safety and efficacy” of a single dose of Janssen’s potential COVID-19 vaccine, also known as JNJ-78436735 or Ad26.COV2.S, officials said. The clinical study, also called the “ENSEMBLE trial," is recruiting individuals who are not immunocompromised to receive either a single dose of the investigational vaccine or a placebo. Participating health systems in the U.S. and around the world are expected to recruit about 60,000 adults to carry out the third phase of the COVID vaccine trial. Related NewsAstraZeneca to deliver vaccine trial data by year’s endFeds issue coverage plan for COVID-19 vaccine and treatmentsProtests in Brazil support president in anti-vaccine stanceNearly 2.4 million Michigan residents have received flu vaccine this season

DETROIT The Henry Ford Health System is seeking 30,000 volunteers to participate in its Moderna vaccine study to determine whether a two-dose vaccine could prevent COVID-19 infection in those who are exposed. The National Institutes of Health officials said Henry Ford Health is the only hospital in Michigan selected as a trial site for phase three of the Moderna mRNA-1273 Coronavirus Efficacy (COVE) vaccine study. Henry Ford Health System is proud to be part of the fight against this deadly virus, said Adnan Munkarah, executive vice president and chief clinical officer of Henry Ford Health System. Our best hope of controlling COVID-19 is with a vaccine, said Dr. Marcus Zervos, division chief of Infectious Disease for Henry Ford Health System. Each participants health and safety are our top priorities, Munkarah said.

DETROIT A study from Henry Ford Health system is suggesting theres a benefit to hydroxychloroquine in treating the coronavirus (COVID-19). The study found 13% of people treated only with hydroxychloroquine died, compared to 26.4% who were not treated with hydroxychloroquine. What we think was important in our study, in our patients, is that patients were treated early, Dr. Marcus J. Zervos said. For hydroxychloroquine to have benefit, it has to be given before the patient suffers some of the severe immune reaction that can occur with COVID-19.Officials said 82% of the Henry Ford patients who received hydroxychloroquine received it within 24 hours of admission and 91% within 48 hours. Since the emergency use authorization has been rescinded by the FDA, researchers said hydroxychloroquine is not being used to treat patients in the Henry Ford Health System.

Later, a biopsy confirmed tongue cancer, and a partial glossectomy was done in Traverse City. At the Henry Ford Cancer Institute, cancer services remained open because the doctors and administrators were confident the enhanced standards would keep patients safe. For the initial consultation and follow-up appointments, virtual visits are offered at times and places convenient for cancer patients. When the Godins registered at the apartment building on the Henry Ford campus, they were reassured. The staff remained friendly, helpful and conscientious throughout our stay.Most surprising, he said, were the relationships they had at Henry Ford.

DETROIT Its been several weeks since the peak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Metro Detroit. On March 10, the state confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19. The first two reported cases in the Henry Ford Health System were identified March 11. Experts said 77% of patients required hospitalization, while 40% required the intensive care unit. Overall, 16% of COVID-19 patients died within 30 days of being seen.

DETROIT Only 70 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients remain admitted at Henry Ford hospitals, while more than 1,600 have been discharged in the last two months, officials said. That means the hospitals once housed more than 750 COVID-19 patients at once nearly two months ago, and since then, more than 1,600 total coronavirus patients have been treated and discharged. Michigan stay-at-home order: Heres where entire state stands heading into this weekOfficials at Henry Ford Health System report 1,606 coronavirus patients have been discharged over the last 60 days, while 70 remain admitted. In total, 34,924 people have tested negative, while 7,378 have tested positive at Henry Ford Health Systems hospitals. Patients are spending an average of four days in the hospital, and those who need it are also spending four days in the intensive care unit, according to hospital officials.

Henry Ford Health officials said medical centers and hospitals are having to adjust policies to keep workers and patients safe. Chu said the following six changes are taking place at Henry Ford hospitals, specifically. If any symptoms are discovered, the employee is immediately sent home -- no exceptions.Marked entrywaysPay attention to signs outside of Henry Ford locations. You might also notice signs on the floor marking out where to stand in line at pharmacies or front reception desks. For patients, hand sanitizer is available throughout Henry Ford facilities to be used at any point during a visit.

DETROIT Almost 2,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been discharged from Henry Ford hospitals in the last two months, and fewer than 120 remain hospitalized, officials said. Officials at Henry Ford Health System report 1,972 coronavirus patients have been discharged over the last 60 days, while 112 remain hospitalized. The number of coronavirus patients still in the hospital dropped from 113 on Wednesday to 112 on Thursday. In total, 28,167 people have tested negative, while 7,203 have tested positive at Henry Ford Health Systems hospitals. Patients are spending an average of 10 days in the hospital, and those who need it are also spending 18 days in the intensive care unit, according to hospital officials.

DETROIT Almost 2,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been discharged from Henry Ford hospitals in the last two months, and fewer than 125 remain hospitalized, officials said. Officials at Henry Ford Health System report 1,972 coronavirus patients have been discharged over the last 60 days, while 122 remain hospitalized. The number of coronavirus patients still in the hospital dropped from 128 on Monday to 122 on Tuesday. In total, 26,613 people have tested negative, while 7,153 have tested positive at Henry Ford Health Systems hospitals. Patients are spending an average of 12 days in the hospital, and those who need it are also spending 15 days in the intensive care unit, according to hospital officials.

DETROIT – Almost 2,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) patients have been discharged from Henry Ford hospitals in the last two months, and fewer than 130 remain hospitalized, officials said. Officials at Henry Ford Health System report 1,965 coronavirus patients have been discharged over the last 60 days, while 128 remain hospitalized. The number of coronavirus patients still in the hospital dropped from 128 on Saturday to 128 on Monday. In total, 25,859 people have tested negative, while 7,132 have tested positive at Henry Ford Health System’s hospitals. Patients are spending an average of 11 days in the hospital, and those who need it are also spending 11 days in the intensive care unit, according to hospital officials.

Two Henry Ford Health nurses will be publicly honored at the upcoming NASCAR race amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Symons, from Livonia, is an ICU nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Her name will be displayed just above the drivers door handle of NASCAR driver and Rochester Hills native Brad Keselowskis car. Palmer, from Walled Lake, is an emergency department nurse at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital. MORE: NASCAR picks up at tricky Darlington after 10-week hiatusNASCARs upcoming racing schedule can be found here.