Connect

Oct. 6, 2026 

Check out the new recognition points system

• Why It Matters: Team member Recognition Points, formerly called Point Cards, are now managed through an online platform. The program remains the same while making it easier and more convenient to be recognized and redeem your rewards.
• What You Can Do: Visit the HR website to learn how the new platform works and review FAQs and job aids. Contact your manager if you have any questions. Dive deeper below for details and resources.

Make sure you are flu vaccine compliant by Oct. 31

• Why It Matters: Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from influenza (flu) and reduce the risk of serious illness. It is required for all Tier 1 University Medical Center team members.
• What You Can Do: To be flu vaccine compliant by Oct. 31, get an automatically recorded flu vaccine through an Employee Health appointment, walk-in clinic, or to-go kit, OR submit proof of vaccination to Employee Health, OR have an approved exemption. Submit exemption requests by Oct. 15.

Use alternatives to note blocking in Epic

• Why It Matters: Both HIPAA and Virginia law give patients a right to access information about themselves. Choosing the right Epic documentation tool supports clarity, compliance, and communication.
• What You Can Do: Use Sticky Notes, Inbasket, or SecureChat for informal internal communication with other team members. Use objective language in chart notes and assume patients will read them. Dive deeper below for details and guidance.

West Complex labs moving to North Fork in 2027

• Why It Matters: West Complex labs and select Clinical Lab testing will move to North Fork in November 2027. The new facility will increase testing capacity, support growth, add equipment, and create a dedicated student lab.
• What You Can Do: Stay informed as planning progresses. Clinical teams will assess workflows and ensure our most critical testing capabilities remain fast, reliable, and accessible. Dive deeper below to learn more.

Contact Us: Email needtoknow@uvahealth.org with questions, topic ideas, and feedback. Note: Inbox is not monitored for urgent issues; please use standard escalation channels for pressing matters.

Archive | Need to Know UMC

Sept. 29 Update | Check out the top five Epic upgrade changes coming Nov. 1

• Why It Matters: This routine Epic upgrade incorporates team member feedback on new features, optimizations, and improvements – including five top changes overviewed on Connect.
• What You Can Do: Plan for brief downtime on Nov. 1 (1–2 a.m.) and review downtime procedures. Starting Oct. 18, spend under 30 minutes exploring role-based updates via the What’s New icon, by clicking F1 in Epic, or visiting the ELL.
• Dive Deeper: Learn about new features and tools

Sept. 29 Update | Share your Epic experience starting Oct. 1

• Why It Matters: Your feedback helps improve Epic workflows, strengthen user support, and guide technology investments. Last year's survey informed enhancements to AI documentation tools, clinician support programs, and system performance.
• What You Can Do: If you use Epic and interact with patients, watch for an email invitation to take the confidential survey.
• Dive Deeper: Read more on Connect.

Sept. 29 Update | Annual Retraining Closed Sept. 30

• Why It Matters: Annual retraining for eligible team members helps ensure we meet regulatory requirements and maintain high standards of care, education, and research.
• What You Can Do: Complete your required training in Workday today to avoid scheduling challenges.
• Dive Deeper: Annual retraining now closed

Sept. 22 Update | Strategic bed moves project will continue with 3 East and 5 South

• Why It Matters: On Oct. 1, Transplant inpatient beds will move from 3 East to 5 South, and Medicine inpatients will move from 5 South to 3 East. Returning each service to its home unit supports established workflows, staffing models, and specialty-aligned care.
• What You Can Do: Expect patient moves to begin at 6 a.m. and conclude by noon. Be aware that Transplant on 5 South will open with 28 beds, while 3 East will open with 19 beds and increase capacity through Oct. 6.
• Dive Deeper: Read more in UVA Health Update

Sept. 22 Update | Water main break update: Enhancing coordination for emergency infrastructure events

• Why It Matters: Following the Aug. 24 water main break, our Emergency Management team reviewed the response and identified ways to improve traffic management, emergency coordination, and communications during future disruptions.
• What You Can Do: Watch for updates over the coming weeks as Emergency Management and partner agencies develop preplanned traffic strategies, a scaled response structure, and clearer communication protocols.
• Dive Deeper: Learn more in UVA Health Update

Sept. 22 Update | Make sure you are flu vaccine compliant by Oct. 31

• Why It Matters: Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from influenza (flu) and reduce the risk of serious illness. It is required for all Tier 1 University Medical Center team members.
• What You Can Do: To be flu vaccine compliant by Oct. 31, get an automatically recorded flu vaccine through an Employee Health appointment, walk-in clinic, or to-go kit, OR submit proof of vaccination to Employee Health, OR have an approved exemption. Submit exemption requests by Oct. 15.
• Dive Deeper: Find details on Knowledgelink

Sept. 22 Update | Join the UVA Health Town Hall on Sept. 23  

• Why It Matters: Hear directly from UVA Health leadership about the 10-year strategic plan, ASPIRE values, and organizational priorities. Learn how your work supports where UVA Health is headed.  
• What You Can Do: Save the date and join in person at Sandridge Auditorium or via Zoom. 
• Dive Deeper: Read more and get the Zoom link

Sept. 15 Update | Get ready for a faster Epic experience

• Why It Matters: Locally hosted Epic Hyperspace offers faster launch times, reducing from 15 seconds down to about 3 seconds, and a more seamless user experience. There are no changes to workflows or daily processes for Epic users.
• What You Can Do: Watch for prompts to install the local Hyperspace app on your UVA Health workstation, then restart to complete setup.
• Dive Deeper: Find details and FAQs on Connect

Sept. 15 Update | Report call-outs directly to your unit

• Why It Matters: Starting Sept. 20, inpatient unit and ED team members should report absences directly to their home unit instead of the Staffing Resource Office (SRO). This gives units earlier visibility into staffing needs and helps coverage planning begin sooner.
• What You Can Do: When calling out, contact: 1) Shift Manager cell, 2) Unit phone, and 3) SRO Clerk only if the unit cannot be reached. Attendance and call-out timing requirements remain unchanged.
• Dive Deeper: Read more on Knowledgelink

Sept. 15 Update | Explore new AI-powered University Medical Center PolicyTech search tool

• Why It Matters: Compliance Hub-Nira is a new AI-powered search tool in PolicyTech. It helps you quickly find answers to questions using natural language and information from existing PolicyTech documents.
• What You Can Do: Starting Sept. 15, select “Go to Compliance Hub” in the top-right corner of PolicyTech to begin using Nira.
• Dive Deeper: Read the PolicyTech tip sheet

Sept. 15 Update | Reminder: Complete Annual Retraining by Sept. 30

• Why It Matters: Thank you to the 63% of eligible UMC team members who have completed 2026 Annual Retraining! Annual retraining helps ensure we meet regulatory requirements and maintain high standards of care, education, and research.
• What You Can Do: Complete your required training early to avoid scheduling challenges as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches.
• Dive Deeper: Visit the 2026 Annual Retraining page for details

Sept. 8 Update | Epic-integrated patient education launches Sept. 9

• Why It Matters: UVA Health is moving to Epic-integrated patient education with WebMD Ignite on FHIR – improving consistency, readability, and patient engagement while simplifying clinician workflows and closing content gaps.
• What You Can Do: Complete your training now and review available resources so you're ready for go-live.
• Dive Deeper: Visit the ELL for training resources and FAQs

Sept. 8 Update | Read MAR updates to improve paralytic medication safety

• Why It Matters: Updated MAR warnings and product-specific instructions for high-risk paralytic medications help make critical administration requirements more visible, reducing the risk of medication errors at the point of care.
• What You Can Do: Use paralytic medications only in designated care areas. Review product-specific MAR instructions and follow updated warning icons before administration. Report concerns through established clinical or pharmacy support channels.
• Dive Deeper: Read more on Knowledgelink

Sept. 8 Update | Support accurate timekeeping and clocking-in

• Why It Matters: Accurate timekeeping ensures team members are paid correctly and supports compliance with UMC HR policy and federal labor requirements. Please be at your designated work location when clocking in.
• What You Can Do: Use the clocking method your manager has identified, which is typically the nearest wall-mounted timeclock. With manager approval, you may use Kronos web-punch while connected to the UVA Health network and working at your designated location.
• Dive Deeper: Learn more in UVA Health Update

Sept. 8 Update | Join the UVA Health Town Hall on Sept. 23

• Why It Matters: Hear directly from UVA Health leadership about the 10-year strategic plan, ASPIRE values, and organizational priorities. Learn how your work supports where UVA Health is headed.
• What You Can Do: Save the date and join in person at Sandridge Auditorium or via Zoom.
• Dive Deeper: Read more and get the Zoom link

Feb. 10 Update | Weekly print bulletin, Need to Know, launches

• Why It Matters: Need to Know provides clear, timely, and actionable updates for care teams and leaders. It complements existing emails and newsletters, helping ensure important information is seen and shared consistently.
• What You Can Do: Each Tuesday, managers should review Need to Know during team huddles and post it in their team member common areas. Anyone can email questions, topic ideas, or feedback to needtoknow@uvahealth.org. For urgent matters, continue using standard escalation channels.