Connect

PPE UPDATE

Two New Steps Added to PPE Donning and Doffing Checklist | The donning and doffing checklist has been updated with two new steps:

1. Prior to donning, the team member and donning coach must verify that the proper type of respirator mask is being used;
2. During doffing, the doffing coach must wear eye protection. 

OPERATIONS

Coming Soon: More Patient Data Needed to Order COVID-19 Tests | Preparations are underway to comply with new guidance from Health and Human Services (HHS) that will require everyone who orders upper and lower respiratory COVID-19 tests to enter additional patient demographic information. Implementing this change will require asking each patient to answer several more questions and entering their responses into the test order.

Collection of this additional data is mandatory under the new Laboratory Data Reporting Guidance issued by HHS. The data will help HHS improve equitable access to testing and determine the burden of infection on vulnerable populations. We will keep you informed about implementation dates and additional changes as they are announced.

PATIENT CARE

Update: CDC Guidance Regarding Team Member Exposure to COVID-19 at Work |UVA Health has adopted the CDC definition of prolonged exposure time for contact tracing, which has been increased from 10 minutes to 15 minutes. Any duration is considered to be prolonged during the performance of an aerosol generating procedure without PPE in place. This guidance is based on currently available data about COVID-19. Related resources: CDC Guidance and FAQs about team member exposure to COVID-19.

Update: Patients Now Have Two Remote Waiting Options | Remote waiting is one of the many changes implemented to ensure the safety of patients and team members during COVID-19. Patients arriving for their clinic appointments have been instructed to call 434.924.0044 from their car to complete the registration process. After doing so,  patients can either wait in their car or in a designated remote waiting area until they are instructed to enter clinical areas. Remote waiting areas have been designated for use by registered patients and approved visitors only.

Remote waiting areas:

• Battle Building – Quayle Conference Room, First Floor
• University Hospital – Dining Conference Rooms, First Floor
• 1222 Jefferson Park Ave. – Conference Room, First Floor
• West Complex – Area near link, First Floor
• Fontaine – Tents at front entrances of 415, 500 and 545
• Northridge – Tent on back patio

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Resources for Benefits-Eligible Employees With Childcare, Eldercare Needs | In the latest edition of their “Return to Grounds” update, UVA Provost Liz Magill and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis provided the following information about childcare and eldercare resources:

• Benefits to Assist with Caregiving: Resources include Bright Horizons Back-up Care either in-home or at a licensed facility and access to SitterCity, an online hub for available care providers. For more information on these resources visit the UVA HR Caregiving website.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Managers may consider allowing employees to work flexible work arrangements such as remote work or a change of working hours during UVA’s modified status. Employees should speak with their managers to discuss flexible options that are appropriate to meet care obligations and needs of the department.

Update: Communicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues | A new, self-paced course is available for all UVA team members to help build our skills for dialogue and to recognize how to leverage differences in our workplace to drive excellence. Medical Center and UPG team members can access the course through the UVA Library portal to LinkedIn Learning.

• Authenticate via NetBadge
• Click on the link “Access LinkedIn Learning’s Online training video library”
• Search for Communicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues

Academic Division, School of Medicine and School of Nursing employees can enroll via Workday.

APPRECIATION

“Everyone I’ve come in contact with at UVA Medical Center has been totally uplifting including staff, nurses and physicians who have all been respectful, incredibly accommodating and sufficiently attentive to my concerns. Regardless of how or if this transplant happens, so far, I can only see myself as being forever grateful for their efforts.” –feedback from patient served by the Transplant team

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:51 p.m.

Under investigation for COVID-19: 4
Confirmed with COVID-19: 28
Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 11
Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 8

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 35
Confirmed with COVID-19: 234

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:53 a.m.

ACCOLADES

We’re the No. 1 Hospital in Virginia | For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked University of Virginia Medical Center as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia. The publication’s 2020-2021 “Best Hospitals” guide also ranks eight UVA specialties among the best in the nation.

These accolades follow honors for UVA Children’s earlier this year in the 2020-2021 “Best Children’s Hospitals” guide from U.S. News. Five specialties were ranked in the top 50 nationally: pediatric cardiology & heart surgery, pediatric diabetes & endocrinology, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric urology, and neonatology. 

As K. Craig Kent, MD, UVA’s executive vice president for health affairs, noted, “It is an honor to be ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia for the fifth consecutive year, and I want to congratulate and thank our entire team for their efforts to provide the highest-quality care for our patients in a wide array of specialties.” Read the press release.

OPERATIONS           

Change: Ambulatory Providers Must Monitor Epic InBasket for COVID Test Results l The laboratory is no longer paging positive COVID-19 test results to ambulatory providers in real time. Instead, both positive and negative results are being released into providers’ InBasket in EPIC. 

As a result of this change, all ambulatory providers are now responsible for:

• Monitoring InBaskets for COVID results
• Notifying patients of results in a timely manner
• Care of the patient

The laboratory is continuing to page positive results to providers testing patients in the ED and inpatient settings.

Resources for providers:  

• Guidance for Communicating COVID-19 Lab Results to Patients (Updated) 
• COVID-19 Resources page also contains COVID-related patient-education resources

Coming Soon: Switch to Workday Learning Will Impact All UVA Health Team Members | Workday Learning will replace the NetLearning management system in the Medical Center, University of Virginia Physicians Group, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and Community Medicine in stages beginning September 2020. This process will impact all team members in how learning and training requirements are accessed and fulfilled. Read details on Connect.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Update: Team Member Wellness Attestation | HOOS Health Check is Coming Mid-August | In order to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors and teams, UVA Health implemented a wellness attestation process for all team members in April 2020. The current team member wellness attestation process uses the Qualtrics system for the daily survey. In mid-August, UVA Health will begin using a new tool, HOOS Health Check, which will be used across all entities, schools, and divisions of the University. Although this is not a new process for UVA Health team members, it is important to know that the tool will be changing. More details, confirmation of a launch date, FAQs, and instructions on downloading the app/accessing the website will be shared next week.

At UVA Health, we take our responsibility to our patients, teams, and community very seriously. This new tool will make it even easier for each team member to complete this required task, stay aware of their health, and report any possible COVID-19 symptoms before reporting to work and putting others at risk.

CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY

Free COVID-19 Testing Event | Friendship Court Community | Saturday, August 1 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m. | Many UVA Health team members will be volunteering at this community outreach event. Focused on serving Friendship Court residents, this event is open to all. Because a limited number of tests are available, pre-registration is recommended. Details:

• Testing Locations
  • Walk-up: Friendship Court Field
  • Drive-thru: 6th Street SE and Monticello Avenue
• Pre-registration
  • Call Myrtle Houchens at 434.326.7520 by Friday, July 31, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Pre-registration requests can also be sent via text and will receive a call back.

We appreciate the partnership of many community organizations in making this event possible, including but not limited to: 100 Black Women, Cultivate Charlottesville, Piedmont Housing Alliance, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Thomas Jefferson Health District. 

APPRECIATION

Doctor Partners with Charlottesville Schools on At-home STEM Kits | After participating in last month’s “White Coats for Black Lives” event at UVA’s new Memorial to Enslaved Laborers, UVA Health pediatric gastroenterologist Sana Syed, MD, and other attendees began talking about immediate action they could take to fight inequality in their communities, and to promote diversity in their professions and schools. One idea that they have put into action is supporting STEM teaching in Charlottesville elementary schools. Read more on UVA Today.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Monday, July 27, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:37 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 29
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 12
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 37
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 227

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:11 a.m.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Opportunity for Improvement: Tweet Calls Out Our Team Members’ Lack of COVID-19 Safety Precautions | Following a recent visit to the University Hospital Cafeteria, a guest tweeted a message and photo showing  team members gathered around a table without masks and without proper social distance. We remind everyone that to feel and be safe during this pandemic, our patients and visitors need to observe ALL of us wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in UVA Health facilities, including the cafeteria. Let’s support each other in taking the steps needed to protect our patients and visitors and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

PPE UPDATE

Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator Guidance | A user’s guide has been created for those who have been fit tested to the Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator for respiratory protection as a quick reference for donning, doffing, storing, cleaning and disinfecting. 

OPERATIONS

Fridays Before Five Rounding Resumes on Aug. 7 | An essential part of preparations for our next Joint Commission survey visit, the Fridays Before Five (FBF) program, is about to restart. Teams of Medical Center managers will round on units, clinics and other areas throughout the Medical Center to assess common survey concerns such as infection control practices and hazards in the environment. Virtual FBF training sessions will be held on the first and third Fridays of each month, and rounders will have a week to complete their site visits. Questions about FBF can be emailed to Denise Barth.

PATIENT CARE

Medical Center Hospice Unit Opens This Week | An in-hospital hospice unit is scheduled to open on Wednesday and will initially include four beds on 3 South. Initially, this space will help to consolidate hospice conversion functions across the Medical Center into one space. Eventually, the unit is expected to have eight beds and make it possible to transfer patients to hospice care during evenings and weekends. Thank you to all the teams who have worked tirelessly over the last several weeks to see this come to fruition.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Be Wise: Connections and Reconnections | UVA Health is thankful for the compassion, integrity, strength and sacrifice of all team members over the past few months. This week, some team members are returning to work and possibly a changed work environment and changed relationships (there have been a wide range of experiences among different team members, even those within the same teams). Help team members return and reconnect:

• Mindfully consider making a time and space to acknowledge the different experiences of the team members
• Consider reorientation needs to clearly identify the new practices and rules, so all team members have shared expectations
• Consider using a small group, team-building strategy such as asking three questions: Over the past three months…
  • What were your greatest challenges?
  • What was your greatest success or positive experience?
  • What does it mean to be a member of this team now?
• Acknowledge that this is a good time to build on the existing strengths of the team or an opportunity to change old patterns as the team moves forward in this unprecedented time.

Be Wise and Team Member Well-Being resources are in place to support all team members.

APPRECIATION

New Video Spotlights Siblings Treated for Heart Disease | U.S. News & World Report has ranked UVA’s pediatric cardiology and heart surgery services in its “Best Children’s Hospital” guide since 2016. UVA also has the largest fetal heart program in Virginia. A newly released video illustrates how one Virginia family accessed that care for two of their children at UVA Health. We offer our appreciation for the many team members who contributed to the life-saving care provided to this family.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Friday, July 24, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:51 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 2
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 29
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 16
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 35
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 218

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:01 a.m.

OPERATIONS

Resources for Returning Team Members | As the labor-related financial mitigation measures come to an end and UVA Health team members return to normal work schedules in the coming weeks (starting next week with the return of all Medical Center team members), we share great appreciation for the sacrifices made to secure the future of UVA Health. To help returning team members get up-to-speed on current operations and safety practices, here are some helpful resources:

• COVID Resources Page – Access the most up-to-date information and resources about the UVA Health COVID-19 response
• Team Member Travel FAQ
• Universal Masking for Team Members (and How to Wear Your Mask flyer/sign)
• Visitor Restrictions
• Wellness Resource List
• Work Space Safety

IN THE NEWS

UVA Health Immunologist Shares Research Insights on COVID-19 Antibody Testing | Today, Dr. K. Craig Kent, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, tweeted, “Incredibly proud of @AlisonCrissUVA, one of our UVA Health professors & researchers, who was featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post for her work on Covid-19 antibody response. Amazing work Alison!” 

ACROSS UVA HEALTH

COVID-tivity: Unexpected Inspiration From a Killer Virus | Welcome to the world of nursing amid COVID-19 as educators, learners and practitioners adjust to life during a pandemic. That they’re gleaning wisdom about COVID is a given. But more than simply coping, they’re drawing strength and new ideas from it, too. Learn more.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

FEAP Offers Virtual Support Resources | In response to our current environment, FEAP is pleased to offer two collections of resources to support you through education, action and self-care. You are welcome to explore and enjoy!

• COVID-19 resources
• Social injustice resources

APPRECIATION

ASPIRE Values Exemplified During COVID-19 | “I was admitted with COVID-19, and from the moment I entered the hospital I was treated with utmost respect, kindness and professionalism. The nurses and nurse practitioners were absolutely amazing. Since my family was not able to visit, they communicated clearly with my family on my status while I was in the ICU on the ventilator. Their knowledge, passion and dedication is admirable. Considering how sick I was, my experience was one-of-a-kind, and I am beyond lucky to have been treated at UVA.” – Grateful UVA Health patient

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:32 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 26
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 16
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 35
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 215

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:42 a.m.

OPERATIONS

Reminder: Visitor Restrictions | It is important for patients and visitors to receive consistent messages regarding visitor access. A few key points to remember and share:

• Visitor restrictions are in place in ALL care areas.
• Only one visitor may be with a patient in inpatient, Emergency Department and procedure areas.
• Clinic visitors are allowed only by exception.
• Additional designated visitors should wait at home, in their car or other designated waiting areas.
• Multiple visitors/family members should not wait in the lobby or other waiting areas to allow for safe social distancing.
• Any exceptions must be approved by the clinical leadership team for the care area. 
• Full details can be found here.

New Single Sign-On System Coming | This summer, UVA Health will be replacing the current Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication system, Duo. This decision was made based on direct clinician input and data from Be Safe events regarding a need to declutter computer desktops and to make it as easy as possible to access the information essential to providing safe patient care. A pilot is currently underway to test the new SSO system, Onesign, as well as a new desktop organizer, Fences. A timeline for the conversion is still being finalized. Users will benefit from:

• Speedy access to clinical data
• Clear expectations about how a PC will function (i.e., where can files be saved on a shared workstation, so it will be backed up)
• Standardized work (i.e., Epic charts will remain open for a unique user profile when a user taps-out/locks a PC instead)

Visit the SSO website for more information, including frequently asked questions and a short narrated slideshow.

PATIENT CARE

Update: Area Skilled Nursing Facility Activity | In recent weeks, there have been COVID-19 outbreaks in a number of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in our area. The outbreaks have resulted in the closure of a couple of facilities, which has an effect on our ability to discharge patients in need of skilled nursing services. UVA Health and community resources are being deployed on site and via telemedicine in some facilities to help ensure safe care for these patients. There is regular communication with state and regional agencies to coordinate efforts and to help avoid closures if at all possible. The UVA Health Data Portal (login required) has been updated with a SNF Status tab, updated Monday-Friday, that shows capacity at area skilled nursing facilities and aids in the discharge planning process.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Safe Bus Passenger Practices | The dedicated team at UVA Parking and Transportation has developed a system for getting you safely and conveniently to and from your place of work. Buses are cleaned daily, and commute times are no longer than 15 minutes (meeting CDC guidelines for limiting close exposure). Your partnership in following the following key steps is essential in our efforts to protect the health and safety of all team members, patients and visitors.

• Sick team members are required to stay home.
• All team members coming to work are required to complete a daily team member wellness attestation.
• Masks are required to ride the bus (brief interactions of asymptomatic individuals wearing face coverings are unlikely to result in transmission of illness).
• Sit in designated seating to preserve safe social distances (passenger seating layout and spacing has been approved by Infection Prevention and Control).

APPRECIATION

UVA Medical Students Step Up During a Global Pandemic | We’re so thankful for the contributions of our medical students – donation drives, establishing a community call line, writing cards to senior citizens in isolation, organizing thank-you deliveries and so much more. Unable to study and work in UVA Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, these driven and innovative students are making a difference in more ways than one this summer. Learn more.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

Monday, July 20, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:49 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 2
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 28
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 16
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 13

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 30
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 208

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:03 a.m.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

(The information below was originally published on Monday, May 4, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT (1:39 p.m.)

MAY 1 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT (1:53 p.m.) 

Under investigation for COVID-19: 1   
Confirmed with COVID-19: 20   
Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 10   
Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 8   

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 1   
Confirmed with COVID-19: 57 

STATEWIDE COVID-19 DATA | Virginia Department of Health

PPE UPDATES (9:14 a.m.)

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Wednesday, April 29, at 7:14 p.m.)

APRIL 29 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT (2:05 p.m.)

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0  
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 20  
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 9  
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 1  
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 55

STATEWIDE COVID-19 DATA | Virginia Department of Health

PPE UPDATES (7:23 a.m.)

Reminder: Inpatients Should Wear Masks Outside Their Units | An increasing number of patients are traveling from their unit to procedural and diagnostic areas without wearing masks. All team members are reminded to reinforce masking requirements for patients. Please refer to the Universal Masking: Patients policy for details.

SPU Use of N95 Masks | Special Pathogens Units will begin use of N95 masks. We will continually monitor our inventory of N95 masks and will reinstate conservation efforts whenever supplies drop below 90 days. Our goal is to offer the highest sustainable levels of personal protection across UVA Health.

PATIENT CARE

Lab Now Serving Only Patients With COVID-19 | As of today, the West Complex Phlebotomy Lab is exclusively serving patients who are confirmed positive for COVID-19 or who are under investigation for the virus. Located across from the ID badge office on the first floor, the lab supports UVA and non-UVA providers and clinics. To learn more or find instructions for ordering labs, please review the COVID Cohort Lab FAQ sheet. Labs for patients who do not have COVID-19 concerns should be ordered at an alternate UVA Lab location.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY & WELL-BEING

FEAP Offers Connect to Cope Drop-In Sessions | Team members and managers are invited to register for a 30-minute drop-in session to learn about coping strategies and resources to use during this challenging time.

• For team members: Various drop-in sessions are available daily from Friday, May 1, to Sunday, May 3. One drop-in session per day will be offered from Monday, May 4, to Friday, May 22. See schedule and register.
• For managers: Register for Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m.; Thursday, May 7, 4 p.m.; or Friday, May 8, 7:30 a.m.  

FEAP Extends Service Hours | To assist team members, UVA Faculty & Employee Assistance Program has temporarily extended hours. New hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 434.243.2643 to schedule a virtual appointment.

APPRECIATION

Rising to PPE Challenges | Although PPE supply chains are effectively on life support across the country, UVA supply chain leadership has succeeded in sustaining our PPE inventory through conservation efforts and more. We thank this amazing team for its innovative solutions and stewardship and for continuing to navigate UVA Health through uncharted waters.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Tuesday, April 28, at 6:17 p.m.)

PATIENT CARE

NEW: COVID-19 Ambulatory Resources | Announced today, a comprehensive online toolkit for ambulatory teams and providers contains the latest decision-support guidelines and information about ambulatory patient care options. This page is expected to be updated regularly, so providers are asked to check it often. Users can find this new page under “Ambulatory Resources” on either of these websites: Epic Learning Library or COVID-19 Emergency Management Resource. Please email questions to Patient Friendly Access. 

NEW: Surgical Services Update | Today, UVA Health will begin increasing the number of patients receiving surgical care to meet urgent healthcare needs in alignment with the governor’s executive order. The tier system for choosing surgical care has been revised to reflect the current and predicted future state for the COVID-19 response environment. We are safe, open, and ready to provide expert care for patients who need surgery for cancer or other reasons where a delay will cause harm. We are not scheduling elective surgeries per the governor’s directive. This week, we implemented these key operational changes to provide medically necessary surgical care for patients:

• The main operating room will staff 18 scheduled rooms and three urgent/emergent rooms (incremental increase of two rooms/day).
• The Outpatient Surgery Center will staff five scheduled rooms and one add-on room.

Redeployed team members will be recalled to staff these rooms

STAFFING

COVID Staffing Center Redeployment Data | Now live on the Medical Center Dashboard, the team member redeployment update provides a snapshot of redeployment numbers, assignments, and cross-training during the COVID-19 crisis. Between March 29 and April 25, more than 780 team members were redeployed, with the largest group being assigned to door screener roles. Although redeployment data does not include LIPs, interdepartmental floaters, and several other groups, it illustrates our organizational commitment to stewardship and using our team resources efficiently.

SAVE THE DATE

Give Blood, Save Lives | Donors are needed for several upcoming UVA Health team member-only blood drives. Find date, time, and location information on Connect. 

The American Red Cross is conducting a community blood drive at John Paul Jones Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday and still has donor slots available.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY & WELL-BEING

NEW: UVACOPE Free Counseling Service | Clinical providers who are experiencing acute stress or trauma reactions related to COVID-19 can turn to UVACOPE, a new same-day, 20-minute phone consultation and screening service. Offered by UVA Behavioral Medicine Center (BMC) in the Department of Psychiatry, this no-cost service is available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon-6 p.m. To schedule an appointment, send an email noting your name and best phone number. BMC will provide a same-day response.

If further counseling or medications are needed, virtual visits are available with BMC and UVA Psychiatric Medicine Northridge. FEAP continues to offer wellness and emotional-support services to all UVA team members and can be contacted at 434.243.2643.

APPRECIATION

Transplant Strong | A Donate Life Month Message 
From Rob Teaster and Dr. Jose Oberholzer, Leadership Dyad for Transplant Services 

In the midst of a global pandemic, we are still performing transplants and caring for hundreds of patients who are counting on us to save their lives. Known for always rising to challenges, the transplant team has outdone itself during COVID-19, and there is no one organ group, staff member, or provider who hasn’t had to adapt.

In a span of two weeks, the team accomplished the seemingly impossible. They:

• Established a service line-wide telemedicine program that now supports over 300 patients weekly
• Moved our post-transplant care partner education program to virtual sessions
• Continued performing life-saving transplants within all organ groups, adult and pediatric

As National Donate Life Month 2020 draws to a close, we offer our appreciation to our transplant team for demonstrating the true spirit of Transplant Services — teamwork, dedication, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Because transplantation touches every aspect of our organization, we offer a big THANK YOU to everyone at UVA who makes our work possible. We are TRANSPLANT STRONG, and we will continue to fulfill our mission of saving lives, honoring the last wishes of organ donors, and providing extended life to organ recipients.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Friday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m.)

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT (1:50 p.m.)

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 27
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 11
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 8
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 24 

STATEWIDE COVID-19 DATA | Virginia Department of Health

PPE UPDATE  (5:37 a.m.)

LATEST NEWS

Housing Options | The following reduced rates have been negotiated for healthcare workers who wish to lodge locally during this time. The Medical Center will not be covering these costs for team members.

Residence Inn by Marriott | $79 per night
315 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22903
Call 434.220.0075 to reserve and use code UVOH
Book online and enter code H10

Boar’s Head Resort | $49 per night
200 Ednam Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Call to book special rate: 888.893.1532

Be sure to mention the special rate for medical and healthcare staff and first responders. Please send questions to Rachel Massie.

PATIENT CARE

Portable Testing Booths Arrive | Engineered and built in the UVA Lacy Student Experiential Center, these movable booths will help expand COVID-19 testing to vulnerable communities and decrease health disparities. The booths, which are designed to conserve PPE and ensure provider safety, will be transported to various locations. UVA Health is working with state agencies and other groups to implement this project.

VISITATION

NEW: Previsit Communications with Ambulatory Patients | To ensure ambulatory patients know about our current universal masking and visitation policies, standard work for clinical care teams is changing. Starting Monday, April 27, clinic teams will proactively identify patients with upcoming appointments who may need a visitation exemption. During appointment confirmation calls to these patients, teams will not only review our masking and visitation policies, but also inquire if a visitation exemption is needed. When patients request an exception, the teams will follow a streamlined approval process. If approved, exceptions will allow one person to accompany a patient to the clinic. Email questions with the subject line “Visitor Restriction Policy Standard Work – Inquiry.” Learn more.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY & WELLBEING

Spiritual Care Available | Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Medical Center chaplaincy team has continued to provide spiritual support around the clock. Each day, chaplains are rounding in clinical areas and in resiliency rooms, performing rituals and offering blessings. To request support, please call 434.924.2642 and leave a voice message or page the on-call chaplain at #1391. To access prayers, reflections, and readings from the chaplaincy team, visit the Chaplaincy Services website.

Caring with Compassion: Supporting Patients and Families in Crisis
Tuesday, April 28 | 1-2 p.m. | In this webinar, Professor Richard Westphal, PhD, RN, will discuss how to use the Stress First Aid framework for assessment, engagement, and referral. Sponsored by The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare. Registration required.  

APPRECIATION

As National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week draws to a close, we would like to share a note of appreciation from Dr. Kent: “The lab has been nothing short of amazing. I’ve visited the core lab several times over the last few weeks with Chris [Moskaluk], Amy [Mathers], and Mendy [Poulter], and have been so impressed. Great team doing incredible work!” Read more or view a slideshow on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Thursday, April 23, at 4:30 p.m.)

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT (1:50 p.m.)

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 28
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 12
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 8 

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 23
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 6 

PPE UPDATE  (9:02 a.m.)

Changes to Donning and Doffing Checklist Process | As part of stewardship efforts to conserve paper, donning and doffing can now be documented on a daily, multi-entrylog instead of a one-use checklist. Log entries should be made after donning and doffing are completed. The log replaces the need to print a donning and doffing checklist each time PPE is worn, and one checklist can be printed and used as a reference for coaching. Use of a coach and checklist are still required. Units should keep logs on file for one year. Thanks to the 3 West team for suggesting this paper-saving solution. 

TELEMEDICINE

Zoom Alert | Due to security, privacy, and compliance issues, Zoom should not be used for virtual patient encounters or online communications where PHI is shared. The recommended online platforms for clinical encounters are Doxy.me and WebEx. Read information and resources related to Doxy.me. Questions regarding WebEx should be directed to the HIT Help Desk: 434.924.5334.

Isolation Management Technology | Caring for patients in isolation rooms is now being supported by high-end video conferencing technology. Using the technology, providers can communicate virtually with patients and staff in isolation rooms without risk of virus exposure or donning PPE. In recent weeks, the Health Information & Technology (HIT) team has worked diligently to equip 66 patient rooms and seven workrooms with this technology, along with 57 iPads. Deployment locations include the MICU, 3 West, 3 South, 3 Central, STICU, ED, and 7 Central Pediatrics.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

R Wellness Attestation Email: Open or Not? | All UVA Health team members are receiving a daily email from the sender R Wellness Attestation, and some spam-wary team members have expressed concern about opening it. Please be assured that this is a sanctioned UVA Health message containing information about the Team Member Wellness Attestation. Everyone who will be working in a UVA Health facility must submit their daily attestation before arriving on-site. Team members who work remotely or are off from work do not need to submit attestations.

FEAP Coffee Talk Launches | Friday, April 24 | 10-10:30 a.m. | During this interactive online session, Amit Shahane, PhD, a clinical psychologist with the UVA Behavioral Medicine Center, will share tips for dealing with COVID-19 stress and anxiety. Participants can ask questions and share their challenges and success strategies. Registration required. 

16 Seconds to Calm | Feeling stressed? All it takes is 16 seconds to feel calmer using the four square breathing technique: Inhale for four seconds; hold your breath for four seconds; exhale for four seconds; hold your breath for four seconds.

APPRECIATION

Virtual Family Visits | Connecting families to their loved ones who are hospitalized at UVA has become a new specialty of Matt Houston, RN, and his colleagues on 6 West. In addition to helping patients with COVID-19 stay in daily contact with their families via WebEx, the team recently arranged an iPad-enabled birthday party for a patient. Thanks to this kind gesture, several generations of the patient’s family got to express their love and best wishes. Thank you all for reaching well beyond the bedside to care for our patients and their families!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Wednesday, April 22, at 8:08 p.m.)

COVID-19 UVA INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:34 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 1 
• Under investigation for COVID-19 discharged: 5
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 30 
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 12
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 9 
• Confirmed with COVID-19 discharged: 22

PPE UPDATE, 9:54 a.m. 

PPE | Mask Distribution
All team members are expected to receive a loop mask (and brown paper bag for storage) from their supervisor and wear it inside the Medical Center and off-site ambulatory locations at all times. Team members who come to the Medical Center and are unable to receive masks from their manager can obtain one from the following mask distribution locations:

• University Hospital | Lobby | Information Desk
• South Tower | Lobby | Information Desk
• West Complex | Lobby | Information Desk
• Link from Lee Street Garage to lobby

Team members are encouraged to wear their masks as they leave work, store them properly in the brown paper bag, and wear them upon return to work. Most non-clinical team members can wear the same mask for one week. See PPE Universal Masking Policy: Team Members for details.

Managers: Please establish a direct-supply process with Supply Chain by calling 434.982.6712 or emailing. Managers who do not order from the supply room can complete a mask request form for a two-week supply of masks, which can be picked up from one of the information desks.

PPE | Donated/Handmade
PPE donations are still being received at the loading dock behind the Education Resource Center (ERC), 10 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week. Upon arrival, donors should follow signs and instructions for contacting the donation center. Questions? Call 434.924.2390. Learn more on Connect. 

Reminder: Please do not use PPE directly donated to your department, clinic, or unit. All PPE donations should be dropped off at the ERC Donation Center where it will be examined for quality and safe use. PPE approved for use in the donation center will be provided to Supply Chain for appropriate distribution.

HUMAN RESOURCES 
Reminder: Get (or Give) Financial Assistance | The UVA Emergency Assistance Fund for employees and contracted workers was created to address disruptions in employment and anticipated financial hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also donate to this fund to help coworkers.

LATEST NEWS
COVID Testing Workgroup | Virginia Governor Ralph Northam formed a COVID-19 testing workgroup and participants will include two UVA Health experts — Costi Sifri, MD, director of hospital epidemiology, and Amy Mather, MD, associate professor of infectious diseases and international health. The workgroup will focus on expanding testing, which Northam has identified as crucial to addressing the pandemic and reopening the state’s economy.

Advantages of Academic Medical Centers | In an interview with UVA Today, Medical Center COO Wendy Horton discussed the unique advantages that academic medical centers bring to fighting a pandemic and helping the community, the commonwealth, and the country.

Hospital Expansion Helps Coronavirus Fight | In an interview with NBC29, Chief Nursing Officer Mary Dixon discussed how the Medical Center expedited the opening of beds in the hospital expansion to treat patients with COVID-19. 

Resilience in the Time of COVID | Posted today by Virginia Nursing Legacy Magazine, this timely and touching story spotlights the experiences of School of Nursing alumni, students, and faculty in pivoting to the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

APPRECIATION
Respiratory Therapists are on the front line in the COVID-19 fight, partnering with physicians, nurses, and the entire healthcare team to help patients. When patients are placed on ventilators, RTs provide constant monitoring and assessment and modify the delivery of care as the patient’s condition improves or worsens. Join us in thanking these integral members of our patient care team during the COVID outbreak. Respiratory Therapists rock!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Tuesday, April 21, at 4:23 p.m.)

COVID-19 UVA INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:40 p.m.

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 1 
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 27
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 8
• Confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 7

PPE UPDATE

PATIENT CARE

COVID Patient Signatures and Consent | Rather than entering the patient room for signatures and consents, clinicians should use telehealth/phone to discuss the required paperwork. After receiving verbal consent, the clinician and one witness, a Medical Center team member, should sign for the patient. For documents requiring a patient’s physical signature, such as advance directives, clinical teams should follow processes to minimize contact. 

RESEARCH NEWS

COVID Data Gathering Underway | True to our mission as an academic medical center, UVA Health is not only treating patients with COVID-19 but also gathering data to help better understand the disease and how it can be treated. Initiatives now underway include:

• COVID Datamart | In its pilot phase, this project is generating big-data information about patients evaluated and/or treated for COVID-19 at UVA. Updated daily, reports contain data sets related to encounters, testing, and inpatient stays. Clinical users can request reports from Glenn Wasson. Researchers interested in using data extramurally will need IRB approval.
• Virginia Health Status Registry | UVA researchers affiliated with the Integrated Translational Health Research Institute of Virginia (iTHRIV) have worked with the Virginia Department of Health to create a health status registry and research dissemination platform. Designed to help public health officials and the medical community better understand COVID-19 and its impact on our communities, the registry is now live on the iTHRIV website and soliciting input from all Virginia residents, no matter their COVID-19 status. Registrants can also elect to receive targeted offers to participate in other COVID-19 related research.

ACADEMIC UPDATE

Eager to Serve | Most UVA nursing students in the class of 2020 are fast-tracking their way toward the future. They’ll be graduating, obtaining letters of attestation, and taking their board exams earlier than usual. Their goal: be ready to report for patient care duties by June 1.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Safety Alert: Soiled Linen Handling | Be sure to securely tie blue collection bags before placing them in the soiled utility room. When bags containing soiled linens accidently open, it causes an infection risk. Your attention to this small but important detail helps keep our team safe and our environment clean.

Mindful Pause | Need a break? Join the mindfulness center for a virtual “mindful pause” every day from 4-4:15 p.m. Sign up.

APPRECIATION

Let the Lights Shine | Each night, the exterior of the Medical Center’s top floors are now awash in blue and orange lights. This dramatic display of UVA team colors serves as a special tribute to all who are serving our patients and community during this challenging time. Thank you for all you do!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Monday, April 20, at 4:31 p.m.)

APRIL 20 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 0
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 28
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 7
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 6

PPE UPDATES

IMPORTANT PPE REMINDERS
No Makeup | If you wear an N95 mask, please keep it from getting contaminated by avoiding makeup, lip balm, lotions, and other substances you normally apply to your face. Keeping your face clean and clear can help increase the number of masks that can be reprocessed and reused. Currently, 200-420 masks are received for reprocessing daily and 40% of them must be discarded due to contamination, mostly from facial products.

Eye Protection | Wearing eye protection is an expectation for all in-hospital and ambulatory patient encounters, not just those with patients designated as COVID/PUI. Eye protection can be ordered from Supply Chain Management via email. 

N95 Receptacles | Team members should doff their N95 masks into one of the 100+ designated collection bins located in patient care areas. Please do not place any other items in the N95 bins because doing so can cause contamination and waste. To order a bin, text 434.282.6080. See bin locations.

NEW PPE PRECAUTION SIGNS
To alert team members to the special PPE precautions for COVID/PUI patients, new isolation signs will be delivered to University Hospital, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, and the Battle Building by Wednesday, April 22. All other locations can order signs through Printing and Copying Services. Find information about the signs here. 

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY & WELL-BEING
FEAP Offers Additional Resources | The UVA Faculty & Employee Assistance Program continues to add resources to support team members during this challenging time. Confidential phone or Zoom sessions are also available. 

Security Alert | Watch Out for Phishing Scams | During the COVID-19 crisis, cyber criminals have stepped up their efforts to use fear and urgency tactics to gain access to your email accounts and personal information. To thwart their efforts, please:        

• Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown senders        
• Use only trusted sources to obtain updates and data         
• Do not respond to solicitations by email to reveal information        
• Avoid emails that insist you act urgently
• Read more on Connect

APPRECIATION
Today kicks off National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, an annual celebration that honors a group that plays a vital role in every aspect of healthcare. While they may work behind the scenes, the clinical laboratory team is a vital part of patient care, especially today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical labs team has worked tirelessly to support the use of new, faster testing protocols and to process expanded testing volumes. As Melinda Poulter, PhD, director of clinical microbiology and associate professor of pathology, says, “They are the life-blood of all we do. Their expertise is critical to every test we report.” Read more on Connect. We applaud our colleagues during their special week and thank them for their contribution to caring for patients all year long!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Friday, April 17, at 7:07 p.m.)

APRIL 17 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 0
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 26
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 9
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 7

 PPE UPDATE

FIT TESTING FOR ALTERNATIVE RESPIRATOR MASKS BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 20
Since the 1870+ style of N95 respirator masks is no longer available, team members who normally wear them need to be fit-tested for an alternative mask. Beginning Monday, April 20, Employee Health will offer fit testing in the Quayle Conference Room on the first floor of the Battle Building. Preregistration is required using this link. Priority status will be given to ED providers and those caring for patients with COVID-19. To verify current mask type, team members should refer to the sticker on the back of their ID badge.

UPDATED PARKING ASSIGNMENTS TAKE EFFECT ON MONDAY, APRIL 20
Starting April 20, any team member who does not currently hold a close-in parking permit and arrives at work from 1-5 p.m. should park in the South Garage on Crispell Drive. The 11th Street Garage is starting to fill up during the day shift; we need to use an alternate parking location later in the day to ensure everyone has a place to park. Here are the details: 

Parking locations are based on arrival time and must be managed closely to ensure all team members have access to close-in parking. A garage permit is not required. Gates will be up at the specified times to allow entry.

MASKING REQUIRED FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS AT UVA HEALTH FACILITIES
Masks must be worn by all team members while entering, exiting, and moving about our buildings and while interacting within six feet of others. Individuals with non-clinical roles can wear cloth masks or bandanas. Cloth-loop masks can be picked up at the main and south (Emergency Department) lobby info desks. To conserve mask supplies, everyone should reuse their mask according to guidelines, store it in a paper bag when not in use, and remember to bring it to work. 

APPRECIATION
In its weekly update, the Oncology Service Line thanked stem cell transplant nurse coordinators, pharmacy, and the PFA team for outstanding teamwork: “The groups have converted all pharmacy (and nursing) education over to telemedicine and have had to continually revise the process to improve and stay organized with the changing COVID situation. Our patient schedule has changed frequently, donors have changed, and therefore chemotherapy regimens have changed. All of this means constant updates to the schedule and sometimes redoing education to address the change in plan. We are constantly following up and communicating about changes and often just expressing appreciation for each other. All of these changes can be frustrating, but the entire team has displayed teamwork, positivity, and kindness through it all!”

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Thursday, April 16, at 7:13 p.m.)

APRIL 16 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 1 
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 24
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 9
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 7

THANKFUL THURSDAY
Saunders Brothers Nursery in Nelson County wanted to show their appreciation to the caregivers and team members of UVA Health. They have donated 1,000 azaleas to help usher in some spring cheer. These will be available in the grassy lawn near MR5 on a first-come basis. Please stop by on your way out and take a beautiful azalea home.

WE’RE SAVING LIVES, THANKS TO EARLY PLANNING FOR COVID-19
Months before we admitted our first patient with COVID-19, our emergency management planning was well underway. Among other things, we identified what hospital units and resources would be needed to care for waves of patients while keeping providers and clinical support staff safe. When COVID-19 grew into a pandemic and patients began to arrive, we kept to our plan. So far, 51 inpatients with COVID-19 have received our care, 24 of whom have improved enough to return home as well as numerous ambulatory patients. In rising to the challenge of COVID-19, we will continue responding with ingenuity, compassion and integrity. We are prepared. We are performing with excellence. And, we are saving lives.

UNIVERSAL MASKING FOR PATIENTS BEGINS MONDAY, APRIL 20
Beginning Monday, April 20, all patients will be asked to wear a mask as they enter any UVA Health location. To conserve PPE, patients are being encouraged to “BYOM” (Bring Your Own Mask). If a patient, wearing their own mask, screens positive at registration, they will be asked to remove their own mask and wear one of ours. Patients without a mask will be provided a mask. Note: This change is an expansion of current safety precautions and does not impact procedures for patient screening or temperature checks at entrances, or for patient access screening at registration. If you have questions, please email.

PPE UPDATE 

N95 MASK USE
The 1870+ type of N95 mask that has been in regular use at UVA Health is no longer available. In the absence of the 1870+, we are implementing a number of measures to ensure team member safety. We will provide priority fit testing for an alternative mask for team members who routinely care for COVID/PUI patients who require N95 masks and anesthesiologists who require N95 masks for intubation. Fit testing will continue to occur on a prioritized and ongoing basis for other groups. Employee Health is communicating directly with managers of affected areas to schedule fit testing. If you were fit tested for a 1870+ mask and one is not available to you, until fit testing can be completed, please choose an alternative style N95 that is available. Before wearing the N95 for patient care, perform a User Seal Test with the mask. If you are not able to successfully pass the User Seal Test with your selected mask, try an alternative mask.

GUIDELINES FOR REQUESTING A POWERED AIR PURIFYING RESPIRATOR
Some team members may require a PAPR if they are unable to find a N95 mask that creates an adequate seal. Because PAPR supplies are limited, please follow these guidelines in using them: Only request a PAPR when it can be delivered to the patient care location where you will use it, and return it immediately after use. Do not order and store PAPRs in anticipation of future need. Cooperating with these guidelines will help ensure that we have enough PAPRs in circulation to meet daily needs while allowing time for re-charging each respirator between uses.

APPRECIATION
Today began on a well-deserved high note for UVA Health clinicians, support staff, and other employees who arrived for work between 6:30 and 7 a.m. In the early morning hours, construction workers hung a banner on the University Hospital expansion that read “THANK YOU Health Care Heroes!” and lined Lee Street to express their gratitude to team members for their dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you, construction team, your banner and gratitude will continue to uplift our spirits through the challenges that could lie ahead. See more photos on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m.)

APRIL 15 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19:  0
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 23
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 10
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 5

ELIMINATING COVID TESTING DISPARITIES
National data suggests that there are disparities of care at the testing level for COVID. To mitigate any disparities in access to testing within our service area, a committee led by Drs. Amy Salerno and Art Saavedra is reviewing weekly testing data across various socio-economic, racial, and ethnic sectors. A key committee goal is to identify outreach opportunities to increase access to testing for vulnerable communities. The committee welcomes your comments and feedback, which can be sent to either Dr. Amy Salerno or Dr. Art Saavedra.

COVID STAFFING CENTER
The COVID Staffing Center is in its fourth week of operation with robust participation. The center is helping to identify team members available for immediate redeployment and those available for cross-training to prepare for a surge event. The analytics team is collaborating with the COVID Staffing Center to develop a dashboard to display and track the deployment activity. If you have an inspiring story of teamwork from being deployed or receiving team members, please send to the COVID Staffing Center. 

CULPEPER CLINIC BECOMES 3rd RESPIRATORY EVALUATION CENTER
As part of our COVID-19 response, several ambulatory clinics have transitioned into evaluation centers for patients with respiratory symptoms. Our third respiratory evaluation center opened on Monday, April 13 in the specialty wing of Primary Care Commonwealth Medical in Culpeper. Staffed by providers from Culpeper Family Practice, Commonwealth Internal Medicine, Family Care of Culpeper, UVA Primary Care Locust Grove, and Culpeper Pediatrics, the center is seeing patients with new, or recently worsening respiratory symptoms — such as coughing and shortness of breath. Appointments are available by referral from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. All non-respiratory patients are being triaged to Commonwealth, Family Care, Locust Grove, and Culpeper Pediatrics.

PPE

ONLINE PRIVACY & SECURITY TIPS
If you are working remotely, our Chief Corporate Compliance and Privacy Officer Regina Verde advises:

• Keep your physical workspace secure; don’t allow others to use devices with PHI
• Protect inadvertent viewing and sharing of PHI; safeguard verbal conversations
• If you must print paper PHI, secure it, then shred when no longer needed
• Don’t forward emails to your personal email account or save work files locally
• Log off/sign off of your computer when not in use

APPRECIATION
“From the time I was admitted to the ER and then ultimately to the MICU, I was treated with the utmost respect. The doctors and nurses who attended to me were kind, considerate and endearing to me. I was so blessed by their care during a time of uncertainty, during this Coronavirus Pandemic. I am forever grateful for the doctors, nurses, techs, cleaning staff and all others who took part in my care in the ER and MICU. I ultimately was able to leave the MICU to recover at home. God bless UVA hospital, protect and keep all the employees. May they use the gifts that God gave them to continue to selflessly save lives!” —Patient feedback, edited for clarity.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Tuesday, April 14, at 7:48 p.m.)

APRIL 14 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT:

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 0
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 24
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 9
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 6

COVID COORDINATION CENTER
We are activating a physical Hospital Command Center to provide 24/7 situational awareness and operational support to team members caring for COVID patients. While the current focus is for COVID care, the center is capable of supporting system-wide patient management, if needed in a patient surge event. The Hospital Command Center is staffed by a team of specialists in areas of operations, planning, and logistics and maintains the “big picture” of our response. Support efforts include coordinating patient care, patient tracking, bed assignment, and communications/coordination with partner hospitals, local emergency officials, and state agencies. 

 PPE

TELEMEDICINE TEAM RESPONDS TO LOCAL COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Within five hours of receiving news that a local long-term care facility was experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, our telemedicine team had set up a remote connection and was conducting video consults with staff nurses.

At the heart of this quick response was the one of the team’s many innovations: a Telehealth COVID Response Kit containing an array of diagnostic tools that run on an iPad. Using the tools, providers can virtually check blood pressure, temperature, and oxygen levels and also listen to chest sounds and look inside mouths and ears. Before hand-delivering the kit, the telemedicine team preconfigured it for quick connection to the facility’s network and made it ready for use within minutes.

The emergency outreach represents the newest step in the team’s COVID-19 support. During the past several weeks, the team has: equipped 70 medical center rooms and five Emergency Department rooms with telemedicine capabilities; supported ambulatory clinics in rapidly increasing home telemedicine visits; and expanded collaborations with regional hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. The team is also supporting Locus Health in monitoring more than a dozen patients with COVID-19. In coming days, the team will complete support arrangements with ten more local nursing homes and begin assessing the provision of telemedicine services to area prisons.

TEAM MEMBER FOOD AND DRINK
Reminder: Food is not permitted in the patient care environment outside of designated break areas. During this time, we discourage communal food.  Team member hydration is important. Drinks in closed containers are permitted in patient care areas (straws are discouraged). In order to maintain safety with masking requirements, team members should move to an area away from others to maintain a six-foot distance. The face mask should be removed completely, using the ear loops, prior to drinking.  The mask should be replaced immediately. 

APPRECIATION
The newest member of our COVID-19 response effort – the Tru-D robot – is now disinfecting up to 6,000 N-95 masks per day using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. Purchasing, installing, and operationalizing this urgently needed equipment took just five days, thanks to the hard work and amazing collaboration of epidemiology, clinical engineering, procurement, clinical staff, environmental services, supply chain, central sterile processing and senior leadership. Read the full story on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Monday, April 13, at 7:49 p.m.)

APRIL 13 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 0
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 18
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 9
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 6

SURGE PLAN
Surge planning is a critical component of our emergency preparedness and COVID-19 response. A dedicated team of leaders from across the organization is working diligently to prepare for a possible surge. The plan is divided into a series of phases (view here). A Clinical COVID Command Center is being designed to facilitate in-the-moment coordination for COVID-19 positive patients as well as the possible displacement of non-COVID-19 patients throughout the health system.

AMBULATORY OPERATIONS

GI Symptoms Added to Patient Access Screen for COVID-19
At registration, patients are now being asked about two additional potential COVID-19 symptoms: worsening emesis (vomiting) and diarrhea. If patients report having symptoms, a “COVID-19 Advisory” is noted in their chart. The advisory signals that the clinical team should further evaluate the patient for COVID-19. For help with patient evaluations, ambulatory providers should refer to this Patient Care Decision Support tool, and inpatient providers should consult hospital epidemiology.

ONLINE SCREENING TOOL
Recently, our public website (uvahealth.com) launched a no-cost coronavirus screening tool to help our patients and the community assess their level of risk for COVID-19. Find the screener here.

Reminder: Wear Your Mask into Work | All team members reporting to work must be wearing a mask when they enter the building. When a fresh mask is needed, team members should obtain one from their manager. Universal Masking FAQs have been updated.

Need a Cloth Mask? Volunteer Services is your connection! UVA Health team members who would like to benefit from one of the wonderful homemade masks (for non-clinical use) that generous volunteers in the community have made for us, can request a mask here. Volunteer Services is located off the lobby of University Hospital (room 1650) and team members are available Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. You will receive a confirmation response within 24 hours during the week.

N95 Mask Seal Check | Instructions for properly checking the seal on your N95 mask are available on the COVID-19 Resources Page.

Head Protection | Several team members have asked if they should wear a head covering when caring for COVID patients. Porous surfaces, such as hair, are less likely to harbor coronavirus for long periods of time. While there is no strong evidence to support the use of a head covering in the care of COVID patients, team members are welcome to wear their own cloth head coverings as long as they are laundered routinely. 

Shoe Covers | The CDC does not currently include shoe covers in recommended PPE when caring for COVID-19 patients. Good basic hygiene practice would include wiping down or changing shoes once you leave work each day (to avoid transmitting germs in your car, home, grocery store, etc.).

APPRECIATION
Three days after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Virginia, UVA Health took dramatic action — we opened the state’s first dedicated evaluation and testing center for the virus. Since opening on March 11, our COVID Clinic has seen more than 500 patients and become a resource for area hospitals and the Virginia Department of Health. In addition to its all-volunteer staff of LIPs and RNs, the clinic’s work has been made possible by a multidisciplinary team from Hospital Epidemiology, Employee Health, Infectious Disease, HIT Epic, Patient Friendly Access, Communications, Supply Chain, Women and Children’s, Teen Health, Ambulatory Care Services, and Pediatrics. Thank you all for this incredible work and for bringing your commitment to innovation and public service to our COVID response.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Friday, April 10, at 7:27 p.m.)

APRIL 10 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19:  2
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 14
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 7
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 7

TEAM MEMBER WELLNESS ATTESTATION
Beginning Monday, April 13, team members reporting for work will need to complete a daily online Wellness Attestation survey. Surveys will be sent at 5 a.m. and needs to be completed before the beginning of every shift. Signage reminding team members to complete their attestation, with a QR Code link to the survey, will be placed at entrances, Kronos timekeeping stations, and mask pick-up areas. Service lines will receive a daily team member attestation report. Questions? Please review this Wellness Attestation Guide, which includes helpful FAQs and signage, or email wellnessattestation@virginia.edu.

TELEMEDICINE VISITS SOAR
In response to clinic visit restrictions due to COVID-19, our ambulatory providers have pivoted to conducting virtual, at home encounters with in-state patients. The impact of this change is illustrated by statistics provided by the Office of Telemedicine and UPG:

• 3,527 home telemedicine visits completed by ambulatory clinics between March 16 and April 9
• 2,400 total telemedicine encounters of all types completed in just six days (April 2-8)
• During the first week of April, the number of telemedicine visits exceeded all of March 2020
• By mid-April, the number of telemedicine visits are expected to surpass all of 2019

ELECTIVE SURGERY
Governor Northam has not issued guidance on elective surgery after April 24. We expect an update next week and will be sure to keep you posted.

PPE UPDATE

CAFETERIA OFFERS TAKE HOME DINNERS
On Monday, April 13, the East Café will launch Fresh, Easy, Delicious (FED), a new take home program offering meals for 2-4 people. Orders placed by 2 p.m. will be ready for pickup 5-7 p.m. at the Ramen Republic station. Orders can be placed via an order form in the cafeteria or by calling 434.465.9375.

Modified Hours of Operation (Starts Monday, April 13) | West Café closed until further notice. West Café Higher Grounds open on weekdays until noon. In East Café, the Ramen Republic Station closed; Chopped and Wrapped stations open until 3 p.m.

A special thank you to our Food and Nutrition Services Team for cross training into other roles during this time of need.

APPRECIATION
Night and day, weekdays and weekends, our Employee Health and Infection Control and Prevention teams are working behind the scenes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our workforce. If an employee tests positive, they contact colleagues who may have been exposed and quickly identify who should be furloughed. Constantly diligent on our behalf, these coronavirus gurus are truly appreciated!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Thursday, April 9, at 6:40 p.m.)

APRIL 9 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 4
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 14
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 5
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 5
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator (non-ICU): 2

PPE DECONTAMINATION AND RE-USE
Our PPE decontamination and re-use protocol using the UV Tru-D robot launched today! The first UV cycle was completed at 11 a.m.

The Environmental Services team is collecting and reprocessing masks. Hours of operation are 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m. daily. The new equipment has the capacity to reprocess up to 5,200 masks a day.

PPE
We’ve received a few questions regarding isolation gowns and wanted to provide an update. We do have an ample supply of isolation gowns. UVA has custom gowns that are stored off site due to space constraints. We receive replenishment three times per day. 

EMPLOYEE MASKS
Starting on Saturday, masks will be available within your units, departments and work areas. Please plan ahead to obtain a mask so that you are wearing a mask as you enter the facility. Faculty, staff and trainees are welcome to obtain a mask on the unit you are working. Masks will also be available at the main information desk and ED entrances. 

ENHANCED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS
Changes are being made to protect the health of our patients and team members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning Monday, April 13, visitors will not be permitted at UVA Health outpatient clinics, outpatient procedural areas or the Emergency Department. Limited exceptions are outlined in the Manager Talking Points for Modified Visitor Restrictions on the COVID-19 Resources Page.

RESCHEDULING IN-CLINIC VISITS EXTENDED TO MAY 8
The rescheduling period for non-urgent, in-clinic visits has been extended to May 8. Until then, only patients who meet Conditions for Urgent Care Visits should be seen in clinic. Patients with non-urgent needs can schedule a Professional Remote Visit.

APPRECIATION
“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for waking up each day and heading out of your homes into the uncertain danger that is this COVID-19 pandemic. Each and every one of you are heroes! I pray we can all pull through safe and sound and the efforts of you all are the work behind my prayers. I know this is a difficult time for you all and your families. I just wanted you all to know, your sacrifices and bravery aren’t unnoticed. Thank you.” –submitted via UVA Health website

VISIT OUR COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:53 p.m.)

APRIL 8 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

•  UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19:  1
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19:  11
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 5
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 5

RESILIENCY ROOMS
The Resiliency Rooms are now open! These rooms are to be a quiet place for all team members to use when they need a place to restore and refocus away from their home units. To maintain safe distances we are asking for a maximum occupancy of 4 team members at a time. Our chaplaincy colleagues will be rounding and providing support if needed. A variety of resources will be available. The rooms will be cleaned twice a day by EVS. 

• ED (conference room 1331)
• 5 West visitor lounge
• 6 West visitor lounge
• 8 West visitor lounge

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) UPDATE

VISIT OUR COVID-19 RESOURCE PAGE

Outpatient call 434.982.6843
Hospital Epidemiologist page 9204
COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

(The information below was originally published on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:28 p.m.)

APRIL 7 COVID-19 SNAPSHOT

• UVA inpatients under investigation of COVID-19: 7
• UVA total number of inpatients confirmed with COVID-19: 12
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU: 5
• UVA inpatients confirmed with COVID-19 in ICU on ventilator: 5

ON-DEMAND COVID LAB TESTING
Equipment for on-demand COVID lab testing has arrived. Testing will be begin tomorrow at noon. High-risk ED and inpatients will be prioritized. A nasopharyngeal swab is required for testing. Turnaround time will be 4 hours or less. Initial capacity will be approximately 30 tests per day.

PPE UPDATE:

N95 reprocessing equipment arrived yesterday and is being tested now. We plan to start reprocessing on Thursday. We’ve started collecting N95 masks. Please place used N95 masks in designated receptacles for processing. Expanded details and information will be provided tomorrow. 

We’re continue to work on sourcing N95 masks. We are running low on the 1870+ size, with 240 masks in stock. Please continue to conserve and save for reprocessing. 

We received 18,000 procedural masks today and anticipate further shipments this week. Community donations are being collected and we’re grateful for the UVA friends, colleagues and alumni that are working to help us expand our supply chain.

Dr. Taison Bell delivered the first shipment of UVA-made face shields to the unit today. A special thank you to our engineering colleagues. Additional supplies of face shields and other PPE will be forthcoming.

WELL-BEING
A well-being task force is now up and running with broad representation from across UVA Health. Their goal is to provide resources and make them accessible on the COVID-19 Resource Page. Check back regularly for your Tip of the Week to care for yourself and your teams.

APPRECIATION
To the stealthy messengers who took a moment to brighten the day for our Health Heroes arriving for work — thank you for your generous spirits! And on this World Health Day, a special shout to all of the healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 response. Your dedication, expertise and strength make it possible for our patients to receive the very best care when and where they need it.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) UPDATE
A special thank you to everyone who has helped implement our universal masking program. Early indications are that the program is decreasing overall PPE utilization while providing needed protection.  

PPE inventory has been reorganized and N95 masks have been centralized. Through these efforts, approximately 2,000 masks have been added to our inventory.

N95 reprocessing equipment is being delivered this evening and there is a team working on preparing the facility and optimizing the workflow design. Testing will start this week.

Two large supplies of procedural masks have made it into the United States. These masks are slated to be delivered later this week. Cloth masks are anticipated to arrive within the next 24 – 48 hours. An order of 100,000 gowns is expected this week as well.

A team of engineers, architects and makers across the university and community are partnering with the medical center to produce PPE (face shields, reusable procedure masks and swabs) and testing supplies. The first batch of PPE is scheduled to be delivered as early as next week.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
Effective April 7, any team member who does not have a parking permit for one of our garages, may park close-in at the Medical Center as outlined in the following schedule.

Parking location is based on arrival time and must be managed closely to accommodate close-in parking for all team members during this time.

A garage permit is not required. Gates will be up at the specified times to allow entry. For more information, please visit https://parking.virginia.edu/covid-uva-health.

COVID-19 CLINICAL TRIAL BEGINS
UVA Health has joined a national clinical trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a potential COVID-19 medication, remdesivir. The trial is open to hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 and significant symptoms — including difficulty breathing, using supplemental oxygen or needing a ventilator. Study participants will be randomly assigned to either receive remdesivir or a placebo intravenously for as long as 10 days.

TELEHEALTH SUPPORT
In order to accommodate the current volume of Telehealth-related questions, we have established new guidelines and channels for Telehealth support. We hope that this provides some clarity, and allows you to efficiently access the resources you need to meet the care needs of patients.