Michigan receives $3.8M for emergency preparedness, special pathogen response

Michigan has received $3.8 million in federal funding to help strengthen emergency preparedness in healthcare which will be distributed to hospitals identified in Michigan’s Special Pathogen Response Network (SPRN).

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Trauma and Preparedness, established SPRN in 2014 to strengthen Michigan’s emergency response to any new or emerging threat to public health, such as Ebola virus disease. The network is a collaborative group including: MDHHS, Michigan hospitals, Life Support Agencies, local health departments, and regional healthcare coalitions.

“As Michigan has worked to prepare for new, emerging public health threats, I commend all Michigan hospitals for their partnership, as well as the training and education they’ve undertaken to protect against the spread of infectious diseases,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive with the MDHHS. “With new infectious diseases being identified around the world, this serves as a reminder of the importance of having prepared healthcare facilities and partners for quickly responding to these threats.”

Every hospital with an emergency department in Michigan has a designated tier in the SPRN. Tier 1 hospitals will back up and support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated region V center, the University of Minnesota Medical Center, for the treatment of residents ill with a special pathogen, such as Ebola-positive patients. All Tier 1 hospitals have the capacity to identify, isolate, test and treat residents who are ill with a special pathogen, and may receive transfers from both in-network and other facilities. Like Tier 1 facilities, Tier 2 hospitals are also treatment centers but will accept in-network transfers only.

Michigan has identified three Tier 1 hospitals: DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit; Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids; and St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor. Michigan also has three Tier 2 hospitals: Beaumont, Wayne; Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit; and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland. These facilities have committed to more extensive training and preparation to support Michigan’s emergency response to special pathogen preparedness and will receive this additional funding.

As assessment facilities, Tier 3 hospitals are designated to identify, isolate, test and provide care while awaiting test results. Screening hospitals have a Tier 4 designation and the capacity to identify, isolate and transfer patients for testing. All Michigan hospitals have participated in the robust emergency preparedness and response structure and will be receiving funding to strengthen the SPRN based on their tiered level.
For more information about Michigan’s healthcare system emergency preparedness and response, visit www.michigan.gov/depr.