Henry Ford Heath System on Increase in Hospitalizations

(April 8, 2021 8:03 PM) Today, Bob Riney, Henry Ford Health System President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer said the latest surge in hospitalizations is straining the health care system.  Riney said health care workers are exhausted and he fears there will be a shortage of clinical workers to deal with COVID-19 patients.

Riney said, “We are at a critical juncture.  None of us expected what we are seeing today,” referring to the increase of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past 3 weeks. Henry Ford reported today in a press briefing that there are 424 HFHS patients system wide currently admitted with COVID-19.  In Jackson, there are 61 COVID-19 inpatients at Henry Ford Allegiance Health (HFAH), the highest number since December 2020 when 70 patients were admitted.   The number at HFAH has more than doubled since March 30.

HFHS has seen a substantial spike in admissions and positivity rate in the last several weeks. The health system says the increases are a reminder that everyone should continue to wear a mask, social distance, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands often and get vaccinated.

Riney said the latest surge is taking a toll on health care workers.  “Our health care workers are exhausted.  Day after day, night after night, they are caring for patients under conditions we have never seen.”  Adding to the strain, Riney said there are 251 Henry Ford clinical workers sidelined with a positive test. 

“Non-compliance to the safety measures is the reason for the surge,” said Riney. “Ignoring the safety measures is giving this virus a new life.”

“During the spring surge we saw the community rally around the health care workers.  We need that energy to happen again in a very different way,” Riney said.  “While the meal drop-offs, parades, and other shows of support were appreciated, the community needs that energy to happen again in a very different way.”

Riney asked the community to consider the health care workers and support teams.  “Before you choose to go to a social gathering….before you choose to go out in public without a mask, consider the exhausted doctors, nurses and other professionals who cared for a loved one or colleague.”

Today, Henry Ford announced the Macomb campus has decided to limit elective procedures the rest of the week because the hospital is full. Riney said administrators will evaluate patient volume over the weekend. Henry Ford’s other four Southeast Michigan hospitals, including Henry Ford Allegiance Health, continue to provide a full slate of services.

Statewide, hospitals are at 92% capacity.

This week, all Michigan residents age 16 and over became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.  Riney encouraged all community members to get scheduled for a vaccine as soon as possible.

The health system to date has fully vaccinated 122,000 people.

Also today, Henry Ford announced the establishment of a post-COVID brain health unit and a major improvement in telemedicine.

Henry Ford announced the establishment of a specialty clinic to treat COVID-19 and other patients who have lingering cognitive, emotional and mental health conditions after being hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The clinic is headed by board-certified neuropsychologists with specialized expertise in aging, neuropsychiatric conditions, assessment and treatment of older adults and caregivers. “Patients who end up in the ICU can experience lasting issues with mental processing and carrying out simple tasks,” said project coordinator Maya Pinjala, Ph.D. “Also, emotional issues may be compounded because patients are not able to have visitors in the hospital or establish a personal connection with their providers because of the facemask and other PPE they’re wearing.”

For telemedicine, a new level with technology that allows doctors to remotely look inside a patient’s throat and ears, listen to their heart and lungs, examine skin conditions and more without the patient having to leave their home. The Henry Ford Virtual Exam Kit has a built-in camera and three special adapters—an otoscope, a stethoscope and a tongue depressor—that enhances the capability and convenience of a virtual visit. “As the number of patients choosing telemedicine remains high, we’re excited to be the only healthcare system in eastern Michigan to bring this game-changing technology to our patients,” said Steven Kalkanis, M.D., CEO of the Henry Ford Medical Group and Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Henry Ford Health System. “We believe this technology elevates the video visit experience and may help patients avoid an in-person visit to urgent care or the emergency department.”