Metro Detroit Hospitals, Health Systems Brace for COVID-19 Surge
Detroit-area hospitals are already overwhelmed with coronavirus cases as experts warn that the peak is yet to come.
Michigan hospitals and health systems are quickly becoming overwhelmed with coronavirus cases.
With experts warning that cases are expected to climb in the coming weeks, what preparations are being made for hospitals already inundated with patients?
“This really shows the dysfunction of the private health system.” – Jay Greene, Crain’s Detroit Business
Click on the player above to hear Crain’s Jay Greene State officials and health systems hurry to respond to a wave of coronavirus cases in Michigan.
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Guest
Jay Greene, who covers health care for Crain’s Detroit Business, says a group of doctors from local hospital systems, in partnership with Wayne State University, have directed their resources toward a clinical trial for COVID-19 treatments and a possible vaccine.
Greene says to expect thousands of patients to volunteer for the trial.
Greene says many Detroit area hospitals are nearing capacity. In addition to systems being overwhelmed, Greene says the health of hospital workers has also become a problem.
He says he has seen evidence, at least in one local hospital, of a large percentage of the workforce being out due to illness. There needs to be more collaboration across state health systems to enable safe patient transfers in order to address capacity issues says Greene.
“This really shows the dysfunction of the private health system,” Greene says. “They’re still not used to working with each other.”
