COVID-19 Resources for Michigan Hospitals, Media and the Public
Updated April 2
Michigan hospitals and health systems are monitoring developments related to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) very closely and are working diligently with state and federal agencies to appropriately respond to COVID-19 cases in Michigan. A current summary of the situation in the state is available on the state of Michigan's website.
Resources are available for:
Note: New or recently updated items are marked with an orange chevron. 
Resources for all Michiganders:
Everyone can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing everyday prevention measures like social distancing, frequent hand washing, staying home when sick and covering coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. They include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
If you suspect you are sick, contact your healthcare provider by phone or email for guidance before traveling to a healthcare facility. If you do not have a healthcare provider, call your local hospital. Healthcare providers may request testing based on a patient’s signs, symptoms, travel history and risk.
The state has launched a new hotline to answer health-related questions seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (888) 535-6136. Staff cannot provide individual clinical advice or a diagnosis through the hotline.
Personal Protective Equipment Donations
Many in the community have offered to donate available Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to aid healthcare responders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this difficult time, Michigan hospitals appreciate any and all assistance to help protect healthcare workers and prevent the further spread of the virus. Many Michigan hospitals have set up donation sites for those who wish to donate supplies and funds to help their local facilities.
Below are the materials most needed at this time. This list will be updated as efforts continue to progress.
- Hospital Gowns.
- Ventilators.
- Sanitizer (Hand / Wipe).
- Gloves.
- Surgical Masks.
- Masks N95-N100.
- No-Touch Thermometer.
In order to ensure the supplies are distributed efficiently and to the areas of greatest need, donations can be directed to the Michigan Community Service Commission at COVID19donations@michigan.gov or (517) 335-4295.
Visitors in Hospitals/Healthcare Facilities
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an Executive Order that restricts visitors in healthcare facilities, including hospitals. Effective immediately, all healthcare facilities and residential care facilities must prohibit any visitors, with the following exceptions:
- Visitors necessary for the provision of medical care for a patient.
- Visitors who support activities of daily living for a patient.
- Visitors who must exercise power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship for a patient.
- Parents, foster parents or guardians of patients who are 21 years of age or under.
- Visitors to a patient who is in serious or critical condition or in hospice care.
- Those who are visiting under exigent circumstances.
- Visitors performing official governmental functions.
Facilities must assess all persons entering their facilities who are not under the care of the facility for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors. Healthcare facilities must deny entry to any individual with symptoms or risk factors.
The public is asked to be patient as hospitals screen visitors and staff entering their buildings. These additional processes make it even more critical that people who do not absolutely need to be at the hospital do not go there.
Resources for Healthcare Providers
Recent Updates
Hospital to Post-Acute Transfer Guidance (March 25): Updated forms and guidance for hospitals completing post-acute care transfers. Additional information is available for members on the MHA Community Site.
Emergency Order from MDHHS (March 23): MDHHS issued an Emergency Order to healthcare providers, mandating reporting of bed capacity, PPE, ventilator quantities, staffing information and other data into EMResource, and testing data into the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS). The order also mandates that hospitals use the MDHHS-published testing priorities, and how those tests must be processed, labeled and reported to state authorities. Read more about this order.
FDA Guidance on Sample Collection (March 23) - The Food and Drug Administration provided updated guidance March 21 related to the development and performance of diagnostic tests for COVID-19, including information about alternatives to nasopharyngeal swabs for sample collection.
Member Toolkit Available from the MHA (Updated March 21) - The MHA has released a toolkit for Michigan hospitals as they prepare for and respond to community questions related to COVID-19.
Emergency Certificate of Need (CON) Guidance (March 17) - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has provided information for hospitals requesting Emergency CON at this time. Please see the MDHHS Application for Emergency Certificate of Need form to get information for an emergency project.
Visitor Restrictions (Updated March 17): Effective immediately, hospitals must restrict visitors to their facilities, with few exceptions. Additionally, facilities must assess all persons entering their facilities who are not under the care of the facility for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors. Healthcare facilities must deny entry to any individual with symptoms or risk factors. Read the Executive Order. Official FAQs are now available for hospitals implementing the order.
Exemption of Michigan Licensure During Time of Disaster/State of Emergency (March 16) - The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued guidance to assist hospitals’ staffing needs. The guidance includes:
- The following individuals are not required to have a license issued under Article 15 of the Public Health Code for practice of a health profession in Michigan during the COVID-19 state of emergency:
- Individuals who are properly licensed as health professionals in another state or country (i.e. Canada).
- Individuals who were licensed in Michigan as health professionals but have retired in five years or less.
- Individuals who by education, training, or experience substantially meet the qualifications of licensure under Article 15 of the Public Health Code.
- Each hospital’s compliance team will be responsible for keeping track of these individuals and the MHA issued guidance to assist members on the MHA Community Site. Members with questions or who need assistance may contact Paige Fults at the MHA.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer COVID-19 Executive Orders
Healthcare-related Executive Orders issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of the state's response to the COVID-19 outbreak. View the complete list of Executive Orders.
COVID-19 Testing Information and Resources
- MDHHS issued an Emergency Order to healthcare providers March 23 related to testing and reporting of data by hospitals. The order mandates that hospitals use the MDHHS-published testing priorities, and how those tests must be labeled and reported to authorities when they are sent through the state lab for processing and results.
- Additional information and guidance is included in this March 25 memo.
- Federal resources and information:
Healthcare Personnel Safety
Important Information Sources
Other Information for Providers
- New ICD-10-CM code for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus – Interim coding guidance is available for providers until a new ICD-10 diagnosis code becomes effective April 1, 2020.
- CMS Announces COVID-19 Actions (March 4) – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced actions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. This includes guidance for hospitals and nursing homes, as well as an announcement that facility inspections will temporarily focus on issues related to infection control and other serious health and safety threats.
Resources for the Media
The MHA and Michigan hospitals are committed to keeping the public informed during the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Resources are available below to assist reporters as they gather information for stories.
Contact the MHA
MHA Statements: