MEDICAL WORKERS

Experts at Michigan Medicine have used modeling to predict an upcoming baby boom.

UPAMM has reached a tentative deal with Michigan Medicine after months of talks.

Lab technicians are often an unseen force in the fight against COVID-19.

"Management is working with us now," said UPAMM President Jill Hasen.

At least 25% of medical employees at U-M reported burnout during the pandemic.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine has partnered with about 100 of the country’s top health care systems urging Americans to mask up as COVID-19 cases reach record-breaking highs. Over the past two weeks, more than 900 medical workers at Mayo Clinic tested positive for COVID-19. The message reads:“As the top nationally-ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. However now is exactly the wrong time to let up,” Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine and dean of the U-M Medical School said in a statement. “But for now, we have to use the tools that we know work: wearing masks, staying socially distant and washing hands.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine announced Monday it has added visitor restrictions at its hospitals and clinics to curb the spread of COVID-19 and to protect patients and staff. Visitors, including family, are required to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth at all Michigan Medicine properties, including inside a patient’s room. No visitors will be allowed in clinics for adult patients unless the patient has a physical or cognitive impairment that requires assistance. We hope that by adding these restrictions, we will better protect everyone from COVID-19,” Washer continued. “Limiting visitors and requiring a mask at all times will help reduce the spread of infection.”Related reading:

ANN ARBOR Sheldon Alexander opened Foodies Catering nearly a year ago after working for years in the local restaurant industry. Like many in the service industry, Alexanders business was immediately impacted by the sudden wave of cancellations of events and engagements. I was a server, all of our staff worked in the restaurant industry, he said. What began as a free meal service for fellow restaurant industry workers quickly began to serve members of the Ann Arbor fire and police departments, postal workers, bus drivers and nurses. As for the meal service he never anticipated leading, he has no regrets.

Now, the health system is expanding donation items to include handmade cloth masks for non-patient care staff and 3D printed mask adjuster bands that provide relief to the ears of clinical staff wearing masks around the clock. Washable cloth masks are needed for Michigan Medicine staff returning to work over the next several weeks who are working in non-patient care settings in order to conserve medical grade masks for those working on the frontlines. Those planning to donate homemade masks are asked to use patterns provided by the CDC or from craft supply stores. The pattern approved by U-M for 3D printed mask adjusters can be found here. Michigan Medicine has also partnered with Food Gatherers and is collecting toiletries and non-perishable food items for those in need in the community.