Connect

Dear Colleagues:

As winter approaches and with it, the prospect of disruptive weather events, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new tool that will help keep all team members informed of temporary changes to our operations in the event of inclement weather or any other event that results in temporary changes to our operations (e.g., power outage, etc.).

The UVA Health Status Board is an online hub that communicates team member reporting status and local-level operations status detail for UVA Health medical centers, clinics, and other locations across the health system. This new site replaces the former status board located at uvahealth.com/weather. Key features of the new status board include:

• New URL: uvahealth.com/status
• No Netbadge or other login required
• ADA compliant
• Searchable by location, service, and status
• Ability for designated local leaders (“zone captains”) to update the status of clinics in real time, as the impact of weather/other disruptions may vary across our operating area.

Know Your Reporting Status

In the event of a change in operations, all team members should check in with their supervisor and be prepared to stay in touch with their colleagues. Team members must also know their reporting status:

University Medical Center, School of Medicine, and UPG: Ask your manager now to confirm whether you are a “designated” team member. Designated team members must report to work during modified operations, while non-designated team members can remain off site.  

UVA Community Health: Ask your manager now to confirm whether you are an “essential” team member. Essential team members must report to work during modified operations, while non-essential team members can remain off site.

School of Nursing, Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, and non-designated School of Medicine Team Members: You should continue to monitor and follow the reporting status posted on the Academic Operations Status Board.  

Be Prepared

If inclement weather is predicted, Emergency Management and the Weather Assessment Team will follow its usual protocols and communicate via text and email, directing team members to check the status board for the most up-to-date operations status information. Patients may also be directed to uvahealth.com/status for clinic operations information.

Please take a few minutes now to familiarize yourself with the new status board and bookmark uvahealth.com/status for easy access in the future. If you have any questions about the board, please contact UVA Health Emergency Management at healthsystemem@uvahealth.org.

We also encourage you to review the winter weather safety tips referenced below and prepare accordingly for the prospect of inclement weather in the coming months.

On behalf of health system leadership, we thank you for your commitment to caring for our communities always, and especially during inclement weather and other disruptive events.

Sincerely,  

J. Scott Just, MD
Chief Executive Officer, UVA Physicians Group

Min Lee, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, University Medical Center

Donna Staton, MS
Chief Operating Officer, UVA Community Health

Winter Weather Safety Tips

Awareness

• Monitor weather forecasts via the National Weather Service, local media, and Virginia511 (for traffic and road conditions).
• Consider an emergency alert app, like Guardian, FEMA, or the Red Cross.
• Monitor for Emergency Management updates via email and/or text.

Preparedness

• Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan.
• Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals.
• Put together a basic disaster supplies kit, or “Go-Kit” if you do not already have one. During severe weather, you may need to arrive early to work or be held over. Talk to your supervisor in advance about your team’s inclement weather protocols.

Outside

• Clear all snow and ice from cars before taking to the roads after a storm.
• Avoid walking on ice. Keep your steps and walkways as free of ice as possible using rock salt or another de-icing compound. Stick to cleared paths/sidewalks.
  • In Charlottesville, report an icy patch or area that needs clearing at a UVA Health facility by calling 434.924.2267.
  • For UVA Community Health Medical Centers, please escalate concerns about icy patches and other walkway safety issues to nursing supervisors.
• Dress warmly and in layers. Wear appropriate footwear.