Cancer care in the time of COVID-19

There is no “good time” for a cancer diagnosis. Dealing with one during a pandemic only makes it more stressful. At the Rogel Cancer Center, we understand. We’ve been helping patients through cancer diagnosis and treatment for over 30 years. Now, with guidance from infection control experts at Michigan Medicine, we’ve created a safe and supportive place you can trust to help you through this time.

updated 12.29.2020

doctor and patient maintain social distancing

Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization as of Friday, December 12, 2020

Michigan Medicine received the first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, December 14, and began administering the first doses of the vaccine later that day.

Distribution of the vaccine is based on guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

Phase 1A includes paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials and are unable to work from home, as well as residents of long-term care facilities.
Phase 1B includes workers in essential and critical industries, including workers with unique skill sets such as non-hospital or non-public health laboratories and mortuary services.
Phase 1C includes people at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions, and people 65 years and older.
Phase 2 is a mass vaccination campaign for all adults.

Learn more about the COVID vaccine and distribution plan on UofMHealth.org's COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Updatewebpage.

Due to recent increases in COVID cases state-wide, and COVID patients in Michigan Medicine hospitals, the Visitor Policy has changed.

No visitors are allowed with outpatients OR inpatients. There are exceptions for end-of-life care and patients with special needs. Outpatient surgery patients are allowed ONE visitor. For more information, please see Michigan Medicine's Visitor Policy.

What can patients expect when they come to the Rogel Cancer Center for an appointment?

We are taking a methodical, incremental approach to resuming safe cancer care at all of our facilities.
We have greatly increased virtual visits for many types of patients, so you won’t always have to come to the hospital or clinic.
Virtual visits are also a major part of efforts to reduce the time it takes to schedule an initial consultation -- ideally within a few days -- even while medical records and reports are still being transferred.
We have updated waiting rooms, infusion rooms and other physical spaces to create more distance between patients, while also examining ways to spread visits out across extended clinic hours and days.

Learn more about virtual care.

In addition, Michigan Medicine as a whole has implemented the following patient safety measures:

ALL patients and visitors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to any appointment.
ALL staff are screened for COVID-19 symptoms daily
Patients admitted for surgery, as well as any other form of treatment, are tested for COVID-19, whether they have symptoms or not. Patients testing positive are placed in a designated unit for care.