NAAMA MI is calling on all providers able and willing to help in the fight against covid19. Currently, prescriptions are required by a health care provider to obtain testing, a process that may be difficult especially in the underprivileged and vulnerable populations. The Detroit Health Department is conducting the tests and is reaching out to providers to screen and provide testing prescriptions to the patients meeting criteria.
For instructions, please see below.
Thank you.
The letter below from the Detroit Health Department is for providers who are willing to join the Coronavirus Community Care Network to accept new patients and provide anyone eligible with a COVID-19-related health care evaluation and testing prescription.
March 31, 2020
Dear Detroit Partner in Care:
The Detroit Health Department has been working in collaboration with a variety of partners to develop, coordinate, and implement a robust COVID-19 response plan that includes provisions for all City of Detroit residents, including our most vulnerable. Several hospital systems teamed up with local health departments led by the City of Detroit to launch the Coronavirus Community Care Network (CCCN) to rapidly expand options for COVID-19 testing at the State Fair Grounds located off Woodward and 8 Mile. As our department continues its response efforts, we are reaching out to Detroit health care providers to assist us in our effort to ensure all residents, regardless of income, insurance, or healthcare status have access to COVID-19 testing.
Currently, the CCCN Drive-Up Testing Site requires that patients receive a prescription for testing after an evaluation by their healthcare provider. COVID-19 testing criteria has been established by MDHHS/CDC and prioritizes high-risk groups, such as older adults, health care providers, and first responders. After a prescription has been issued, providers may either call the prescription into the CCCN Call Center (313-230-0505) and book an appointment for the patient, or provide a paper or electronic (text/email) prescription to the patient so that they may schedule their own appointment. A prescription must be shown by the patient at the site in order to receive their test. Transportation to COVID-19-related medical appointments and the MI State Fair is being provided to Detroit residents for free by calling 313-208-7364.
To-date, there have been 1804 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 50 associated deaths in Detroit. We cannot take this lightly in our community. As the number of cases continue to increase in Michigan and outside our region, we need your help to increase access to testing, which will support epidemiological investigations to inform our on-going response efforts for targeted interventions. If your office is willing to provide COVID-19 testing prescriptions for the CCCN Drive-Thru Testing Site, please:
Sign up by calling 313-361-0093, or visiting www.detroitmi.gov/coronavirus and clicking “Drive Thru Testing” to fill out the CCCN Provider Network.
Email dhdoutbreak@detroitmi.gov with any questions/concerns regarding the CCCN testing initiative.
Share the following guidance with your clinical staff to evaluate whether a patient meets eligibility for a prescription:
Presents with symptoms such as fever and lower respiratory symptoms, such as cough or shortness of breath.
Meets MDHHS COVID-19 Priority Testing Levels:
Priority 1: Hospitalized patients and symptomatic healthcare workers.
Priority 2: Patients in long-term care facilities with symptoms, patients 65 years of age and older with symptoms, patients with underlying conditions with symptoms, and first responders with symptoms.
Continue to support hand and respiratory hygiene by staff and patients, perform routine environmental cleaning, and provide access to the appropriate PPE during each appointment.
Provide suspected COVID-19 patients and their loved ones with a copy of the attached Self-Monitor and Home Isolation guidance, and encourage them to call the Detroit Health Department 24/7 COVID-19 Resource Line at 313-876-4000 x1 if they have additional questions.
We appreciate your continued partnership. If you have questions about COVID-19 or this testing
initiative, please contact us. Thank you for ensuring the safety of our communities. We are grateful for your work and dedication at the front lines.
Sincerely,
Denise Fair, MPH, FACHE
Chief Public Health Officer, Detroit Health Department
Najibah K. Rehman, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Detroit Health Department