COVID-19


Spectrum Health Uses Plasma Therapy to Treat COVID-19 Patients

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 17, 2020 –Spectrum Health, in collaboration with Versiti Blood Centers, has begun treating COVID-19 patients with blood plasma from patients who have recovered from the disease, providing an additional treatment option to the most severely affected COVID-19 patients. Historically, hospitals have used the treatment, known as “convalescent plasma therapy,” when a […]



Spectrum Health and Community Partners Work to Keep Patients and Families Connected

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 14, 2020 – When visitor restrictions impacted intensive care unit (ICU) patients and families at Spectrum Health, the ingenuity of the team and the generosity of community partners helped to fill the void. Virtual visits, made possible through creative problem-solving and donated iPads, power cords and technical assistance, have lifted the […]



Spectrum Health Answers Questions about COVID-19 and the Heart

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 14, 2020 – New research has determined that the novel coronavirus COVID-19 can do alarming damage to the heart. In fact, one out of five patients with COVID-19 experience heart damage, according to a study published in March in JAMA Cardiology. People already diagnosed and suffering from heart disease have increased […]



Q & A from the front lines at Spectrum Health

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 8, 2020 – Kendra Peot and Missy Rykse, nurse managers in the emergency departments at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett hospitals, took time from their busy schedules to answer a few questions about their day-to-day during the COVID-19 pandemic. What does a nurse manager do on an average day? Kendra: As […]



Spectrum Health Adopts Disinfecting Process to Conserve PPE

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 4, 2020 – Spectrum Health is taking steps to conserve its supply of personal protection equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, by adopting disinfection practices from clinical and research teams across the country. Aerosolized hydrogen peroxide and heat are being used to disinfect N95 masks between shifts. Goggles, face shields and other […]



Spectrum Health Consolidates Donation Drop Off Locations

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 1, 2020 – Spectrum Health is consolidating donation sites for medical supplies beginning April 1. As the volume of donations have decreased, and to continue to keep communities safe, Spectrum Health will be closing previous sites for donations. Six new locations and hours of operation are listed below. While Spectrum Health […]



Spectrum Health Extends Cancellations Through April 13

**This release is now out of date. For the most up to date information on cancellations, visit the https://newsroom.spectrumhealth.org/fyi/.  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 27, 2020 – In a continued effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Spectrum Health is canceling appointments, surgeries and procedures that are not urgent or emergency-related until April 13. Patients are […]



Spectrum Health Temporarily Closes Walk-In Clinics

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., March 26, 2020—Spectrum Health is closing all walk-in clinics in West Michigan and encouraging people to connect virtually with a provider. The clinics will be temporarily closing effective immediately until further notice. Spectrum Health offers alternatives for accessing health care for non-life-threatening emergencies. People experiencing emergencies should call 911 immediately. To limit […]



Metro Health – University of Michigan Health and Spectrum Health Revise Adult ICU Visitor Restrictions

GRAND RAPIDS and WYOMING, Mich., March 25, 2020 – Metro Health – University of Michigan Health and Spectrum Health have revised their adult Intensive Care Unit visitor restrictions. As of tonight at 9 p.m., no visitors will be allowed in either of the organizations’ adult ICUs. The move is intended to help keep patients, family […]