(WXYZ) — The Cleveland Clinic is sending healthcare workers to metro Detroit and Michigan to help fight COVID-19.
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, they have connected with hospitals in Michigan and New York who requested the help of caregivers including critical care nurses, nurse practitioners, board-certified critical care and emergency medicine physicians, physician assistants and CT and X-ray technicians.
"Cleveland Clinic is supportive of providing caregivers to help during this time and we remain well-staffed to handle any anticipated surge in the states where we have hospitals. The decision to serve is completely voluntary for our caregivers," a statement reads.
If they increase a surge at one of their own locations, the Cleveland Clinic will bring caregivers back to meet the needs of their own patients.
- Caregivers will continue to receive pay and benefits from Cleveland Clinic with no interruption.
- No vacation time will be charged to those who volunteer to assist.
- All clinicians will be covered by our medical malpractice insurance, as well as emergency immunity laws that have been enacted in both New York and Michigan. All housing, meals, transportation and laundering services will be provided and expenses will be reimbursed.
- The duration of the assignment will be based on staffing needs at Cleveland Clinic. Individuals are free to come home at any time.
- If a caregiver becomes sick, Cleveland Clinic will bring them home.
As of Wednesday, there were 959 deaths and 20,346 cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, the third highest in the country behind New York and New Jersey.
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