Team Members Can Now Schedule Moderna and J&J COVID Vaccine Booster Shots

The team member vaccination clinic on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center will begin providing booster shots of Moderna and J&J vaccines next week. Pfizer booster shots will continue to be offered as well. Team members who are eligible for booster shots can book appointments through VaxTrax.
 
Our community vaccination clinic, which is operating in the Education Resource Center, is currently offering Pfizer booster shots only. Moderna and J&J booster shots are expected to become available soon. Clinic appointments can be scheduled either through a patient’s MyChart account or by contacting the Call Center at 434.297.4VAX.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 9:50 a.m., Oct. 29)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 29)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

Happy Halloween From UVA Health!
To help brighten the care environment and celebrate Halloween, your colleagues dressed up in creative costumes. Check out the photos on Connect.

Fewer Team Members Will Have ID Badge Access to Women’s Units | Effective Monday, Nov. 1 | Based on recommendations from the Joint Commission and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a limited number of team members will have ID badge access to Labor & Delivery (8 East) and Antepartum Mother-Baby units (8 Central and 8 North). Team members without ID badge access should use the video intercom at the visitor entry to request admission.

Commuter Alert: Emmet Street to Be Fully Closed from Massie to Ivy Road for 12 Days | Monday, Nov. 1-Friday, Nov. 12 | A portion of Emmet Street will be fully closed (24 hours a day) from Massie Road to the Ivy Road intersection during construction of a large stormwater utility. Vehicular traffic will be detoured to Massie Road and Copeley Road. Please expect traffic backups along the detour route, and, if possible, use Rt. 250 or other city streets to bypass the area.

• Emmet Ivy Garage Will Remain Open | Commuters will be able to access the garage from Ivy Road, and bus routes will be altered to circumvent the road closure. Commuters who use the garage and those who ride the bus should plan for additional travel time. Read more.
• Pedestrian Traffic Will be Detoured | Sidewalks on both sides of Emmet St. will be closed during construction to ensure pedestrian safety. The sidewalk along the north side of Ivy Rd. will also be closed. Signage will provide detour information. Read more.

HIT Security Team Offering Drop-In Sessions Covering New Risk Assessment Tool | Weekdays through Friday, Nov. 12 | In preparation for the Nov. 15 launch of its new online Risk Assessment Tool, the HIT Security Team is conducting a series of educational sessions for anyone who may be involved with: purchasing or procuring new hardware, software, or cloud solution; sending UVA Data outside of the UVA network; or obtaining a new device that may connect to the UVA Network. Details:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays | 2-2:30 p.m.
• Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays | 9-9:30 a.m.
• Passcode: HIT-Security

Submit Your Questions Now: UVA Health Town Hall | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | noon-1 p.m. | Livestream | K. Craig Kent, MD, CEO of UVA Health, and other UVA Health leaders are inviting all team members to attend a town hall discussion about the top priorities and latest developments for our organization. A portion of the agenda will be devoted to live Q&A. Submit questions to YourTownHall@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Happenings

Connect for Support
FEAP invites you to join in 30-minute drop-in sessions to connect with your colleagues, share coping strategies for challenges you are facing, and learn about helpful resources. Learn more.

Understanding and Addressing Caregiving Experiences
UVA has established a Family Support Collab with a mission to better understand issues team members experience regarding childcare and dependent care, evaluate sources of support to address these issues, and investigate new sources of support. Learn more.

Medical Center Hour | “Off the Chart”: Elegy, Ecstasy, Dissent, and Other Subversive Modes in Clinician Creative Writing | Wednesday, Nov. 3 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom & Pinn Hall Conference Center Auditorium (masks required) | In this talk, Dr. Laura Kolbe will read from her new poetry collection Little Pharma and discuss “experimental entanglements” between art-making and the practice of care, focusing on the productive tension between the ways we use language as clinicians, as poets, and in other shifting roles.

Creating Space for Managing Anxiety | Thursday, Nov. 4, 3:30-4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 16, noon-1 p.m. | Join FEAP and Hoos Well in a reward-eligible webinar focusing on evidence-based skills for managing anxiety with an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness strategies.

Appreciation

Thank You, RTs! | During Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 24-30, UVA Health celebrates respiratory therapists (RTs) and the vital support they provide to patients. RTs are medical professionals trained specifically to work with patients who have a variety of breathing problems such as asthma, COPD, and cystic fibrosis. They provide recommendations for ventilator strategies, delivery of medications for respiratory diseases, assist with patients who have sleep apnea, and perform diagnostic tests to determine how well a patient’s lungs are functioning. During the pandemic, RTs have been the frontline experts providing mechanical ventilation for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. They have experienced a staggering increase in patient volume and have been working long hours and extra shifts to provide the best care to patients. Many have been the sole person in the room with a dying patient, so they don’t have to die alone. Thank you to the entire respiratory team for all that you have done before and during the pandemic and continue to do every day to help patients breathe and heal. You are appreciated!

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Previous Updates

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021

Vaccination of 5-11 Year-Olds Will Soon Begin at
UVA Health

A new phase of COVID-19 vaccine administration is set to begin at UVA Health soon after the CDC issues its recommendations for administering the Pfizer vaccine to 5- to 11-year-olds, a step now approved by the FDA. While details are still being determined, UVA Health anticipates providing pediatric vaccinations in multiple settings, including clinics, mass vaccination sites, and pop-up community events, all of which will be as child-friendly as possible. UVA Health is also planning to offer collaborative support to the Blue Ridge Health District as needed, especially in vaccinating children in underserved and vulnerable communities.

Because the formulation of Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine differs from doses provided to individuals age 12 and older, supplies will initially be limited but are expected to expand to meet public needs. Providers are reminded to avoid using the adult formulation when vaccinating their 5-11 year-old patients. Like the adult formulation, Pfizer’s pediatric vaccine will require two doses received 21 days apart to provide full immunity protection. Details will be announced soon.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:52 p.m., Oct. 27)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 27)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Appointments to Open Next Week for Moderna and J&J COVID Vaccine Booster Shots
The Pfizer vaccine is the only booster shot currently available at the clinic in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Internal policies and practices are now being updated to enable the scheduling, administration and documentation of Moderna and J&J boosters. Scheduling details for team members and patients will be announced on Friday, Oct. 29, and appointments are expected to be available next week. Walk-in booster vaccinations are not available at this time.

UVA Health to Consolidate In-Person Prevalence Testing Sites
Starts Monday, Nov. 1 | Due to high levels of compliance with the new UVA Health mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, the number of team members who must complete weekly prevalence testing has decreased dramatically. Those who are required to continue weekly prevalence testing — unvaccinated team members who have received either a medical or religious exemption – will be able to schedule in-person appointments at centralized locations near Grounds, including Scott Stadium, the Emmett Ivy Garage, and the Employee Health office on Jefferson Park Avenue. UVA Health is closing off-Grounds prevalence testing locations as of Monday, Nov. 1. Team members in outlying areas who have been performing self-testing will continue to do so. To learn more about in-person prevalence testing and schedule an appointment, visit COVID Prevalence Testing | UVA HR.

• Reminder: Team members who are required to complete weekly prevalence testing should consult with their manager or supervisor before scheduling their appointments to ensure patient care and other work priorities are not impacted.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

PATIENT CARE

Helping Our Patients Breathe Easier
In her latest post on Vision and Voice, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, gives a huge shoutout to UVA Health’s respiratory therapists who are “taking care of those hospitalized with high needs, requiring all kinds of machines and equipment just to breathe. … Through it all, what I find most inspiring about our respiratory therapists is the joy they find in making a difference in the lives of their patients.” Read more .

Prepare for Joint Commission Follow-up
The Joint Commission follow-up survey is expected to occur in the next several days. One clinical surveyor is expected, and if he or she is not on-site by 7:30 a.m., that day will not be survey day. This one-day survey will assess compliance and monitoring plans in place for continuous compliance in the areas of infection control, suicide prevention, and air pressure relationships.

OPERATIONS

Updated Job Aid for Checking PTO “Use-or-Lose” Hours
Medical Center PTO cash out is Nov. 4–14. Find an updated job aid for checking your end-of-year “use-or-lose” hours and more information on Connect.

Traffic and Parking Disruption to Impact Lane Road and Loading Dock Area
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7 | The Pinn Hall façade replacement project will be preparing to remove the tower crane between Pinn Hall and the PCC Annex. All parking and vehicular access in and around the loading dock will be blocked Nov. 4-7. In addition, Lane Road will be blocked to thru traffic 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6. While the loading dock will remain open and operational — and flaggers will maintain two-way traffic and pedestrian safety — employee drop-off and food deliveries will need to be directed to other areas around the hospital during this period. Parking and Transportation will be informing impacted permit holders.

HAPPENINGS

Help Alleviate the Blood Shortage, Schedule a Blood Donation Appointment Today
In response to the blood shortage announced in Monday’s UVA Health Update, UVA is encouraging everyone who is able to donate blood. You can schedule your donation by visiting theAmerican Red Cross website. Thank you in advance for your donation!

Wisdom & Well-Being Program Presents “Breaking the Code of Silence”
Thursday, Oct. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Webinar | This is the first in a “Breaking the Silence” series of panel discussions that will address urgent mental health issues such as physician suicide, burnout, and other occupational stress injuries. Corey Feist, CEO of the University of Virginia Physicians Group, will open the discussion, and Richard J. Westphal, PhD, RN, Wisdom & Well-Being Program co-leader, will moderate. Read more on Connect.

Are You Doing The Right Thing? Ask Our Compliance Office Resources
Wednesday, Nov. 10 | noon | Webex | UVA Health’s Corporate Compliance & Privacy Office will be hosting an event to celebrate Compliance & Ethics Week 2021. The event will feature a panel of subject-matter experts from Compliance & Privacy, Risk Management, Health Information Services, HIT Information Security, General Counsel, Human Resources, Patient Access, and Research. Open to all team members. Join by phone: 202.860.2110 (access code: 242 565 18123). WebEx event number: 2425 651 8123; event password: z3cQPibNz65 (93277426 from phones.)

• Reminder: Last Chance for the Corporate Compliance and Privacy Survey | Deadline: Friday Oct. 29 | The Corporate Compliance & Privacy Office is seeking feedback about how well it is meeting your needs to determine what is being done well and what needs to be improved. The survey is confidential and takes about five minutes to complete. All who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for two $50 VISA® gift cards if they provide their user ID. Take the survey here.

Nominate: 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University of Virginia Health System Award
Deadline: 4 pm. Friday, Dec. 10 | Presented annually to a student, faculty, or staff member of UVA Health who embodies Dr. Martin Luther King’s values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Read more and download a nomination form on Connect.

APPRECIATION

Our Multidisciplinary Disease-Specific Care Teams Rock!

Over the past few week s, The Joint Commission (TJC) conducted two Disease-Specific Care surveys at UVA Health. On Oct. 11 and 12, TJC surveyed the Ventricular Access Device program, and on Oct. 18 and 19, they looked at the Total Joint (Hip and Knee) program. Because of our amazing, multidisciplinary teams, we are happy to report that both surveys went extremely well. According to TJC surveyors, they found engaged and professional staff, eager to share knowledge; they saw the pride we have in our programs by team members who enthusiastically shared ideas, which they equated to an important part of having a culture of safety. The Joint Commission found our programs to consistently provide exceptional care. Thank you to every single team member who plays a part in these programs — they are only successful because of your commitment and dedication to the health and safety of our patients. If you know anyone who works in these programs, please take a moment to congratulate them on a job well done!

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Monday, Oct. 25, 2021

National Blood Supply Shortage Requires Careful Clinical Coordination

Due to significant and sustained blood and platelet shortages, the American Red Cross has asked UVA Health to reduce our usage of red blood cells, platelets, and cryoprecipitate by 10% through the end of 2021. As a result, the UVA Health Blood Bank is asking clinicians to confirm blood availability before scheduling procedures that require blood, consider slowing the pace of elective surgeries that require transfusion support, and follow UVA Health evidence-based transfusion guidelines for non-bleeding asymptomatic stable inpatients: The blood bank may be contacted at 434.924.2273. Read more on Connect.

Current Patient Census (as of 3:05 p.m. Oct. 25)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 25)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Fully Remote Team Members Must Be Vaccinated by Wednesday, Dec. 8 | UVA Health takes its commitment — and its responsibility — to protect the health and well-being of our teams, communities and every patient who entrusts us with their care very seriously. In August, we announced that all team members without a religious or medical exemption are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, 2021. 

At that time, fully remote workers who would not be on site in a UVA Health building or facility at any point in time, were exempt from the requirement. In early September, President Biden issued an Executive Order 14042 (“EO”), which requires institutions that have federal contracts with the federal government, such as the University of Virginia, to comply with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s guidance (“Guidance”). In light of the scope of the EO, UVA Health will now require all fully remote team members to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8, unless they have a University approved religious or medical exemption. Any fully remote team member not meeting the vaccination requirement as of Dec. 8 will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Medical Center Hour | Overview of a Pandemic | Wednesday, Oct. 27 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Dr. Sylvie Briand from the World Health Organization will present on how the pandemic has evolved over time and will give a high-level overview of emerging issues during each phase of the pandemic.

Operations

Help Keep Our Systems and Patient Information Safe Against Cyberattacks | You are an important part of our first line of defense against potential cyberattacks on our medical equipment, electronic medical records, and the support systems that keep our health system running. In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, please take a few minutes to review this three-step cybersecurity check-up:

1. Check your passwords. Are you reusing passwords? If so, it is time to make a change. Create new passphrases for UVA Health systems that include two or more words and a variety of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters. Need help keeping track? LastPass can help generate and keep track of your UVA Health passwords. Request a LastPass account here.
2. Have You Received a Suspicious Email, Text, or Call? Report It to the UVA Health Security Team. Emails, calls, and texts that contain suspicious sender information, threatening language, poor grammar, or layout, or suspicious attachments could be a phishing attempt. If you believe a communication is suspicious, do not click any links, give personal information, or click on attachments. Forward the email, or as much information as you have, to our HIT Security Team at MCCSecurity@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.
3. Backup software, hardware, and important files. What equipment or files would you need to continue providing quality patient care? Ensure life-saving systems that use or require unique configuration files are backed up periodically in case of a security or hardware security event. Consider saving files in shared (O, Z, etc.) and personal folders (F) using UVA Health Dropbox (request an account here).

Share these tips with your team, and learn more on the HIT Cybersecurity Awareness Month page.

Happenings

Donate Socks for Feet in Need | University Hospital Cafeteria and Wahoo West Café | Through Friday, Oct. 29 | Support Socktober by bringing in socks to the cafeterias and win prizes. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive a pizza party. Second place wins a novelty ice cream party. Socks will be donated to The Haven and The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Appreciation

It’s National Respiratory Therapist Week! | Respiratory therapists (RT) are healthcare professionals trained specifically to deal with patients with an impaired ability to breathe, whether through illness or injury. They provide expert advice in ventilation strategies, inhaled medications, bronchial hygiene, diagnosis of parasomnias, and the performance of high-quality lung function tests. Respiratory therapists work in acute care settings such as hospitals and emergency departments, long-term care facilities, diagnostic laboratories, home health, and physician offices and clinics. UVA Health respiratory therapists have expertise that has been essential in responding to the demands of the pandemic. In recognition of National Respiratory Therapist Week, Oct. 24-30, and to honor our UVA respiratory therapists, we want to share some of their stories with you. They find joy in making a difference in the lives of people who are in distress and sometimes at the brink of death, and the relationships they develop, the bonds and trust they earn, shape who they are. Meet some of your UVA Health RT colleagues.

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Friday, Oct. 22, 2021

Strategic Planning | Participation Opportunities for Team Members

Work on UVA Health’s “One Future Together” strategic planning process is steadily progressing. The four interdisciplinary Strategic Planning Work Groups are now developing the vision and framework that will shape our long-range strategy in each mission area: Clinical/Patient Care, Community & Health Equity, Education and Research. To ensure that the strategic planning process remains participatory and inclusive, a new series, “Virtual Coffee Chats,” is launching that can be attended by anyone who works at UVA Health. These will be informal discussion/listening sessions during which attendees can provide input regarding the future direction of our organization and ask questions about strategic planning progress to date. To facilitate robust, interactive discussions, each session will be capped at 20 participants. Read details on Connect.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:20 p.m. Oct. 22)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 22)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Planning Is Underway to Offer Moderna and J&J COVID Vaccine Boosters at UVA Health |The CDC now recommends that COVID-19 vaccine boosters for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson be made available to several groups. In response, the UVA Health Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and the Antimicrobial Utilization Committee will review and vote on these recommendations, and updates will be made to vaccine protocol. Once these steps have been taken, information about where team members and patients can receive their boosters will be provided.

• Reminder: While the availability of booster shots will benefit many groups, everyone who has received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines continues to have significant protection against COVID-19. Vaccination remains the best option for safeguarding the health and safety of our workforce, patients, and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

Hallway Closure | Second Floor | University Hospital | Saturday, Oct. 23 | 6 a.m.-2 p.m. | The hallway between the electrophysiology lab and the South Tower elevators will be blocked for construction repairs. When walking from the main hospital, team members in scrubs should go around. Other team members, such as patient transport, can detour to the first floor before taking the elevators up to those departments on the second floor of the South Tower.

Football Game to Impact Traffic | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 | Increased traffic is expected in and around Grounds during home football games. If you are driving to the game or passing through the area, please allow additional travel time.

Pneumatic Tube Planned Outage | Sunday, Oct. 24 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | University Hospital | The pneumatic tube system will be unavailable during this time and will cause delays in specimen, blood, and paramedical deliveries. Couriers will be available during the outage. To request a courier, departments should contact Resource Support at 2-1600 and state if the request is routine or stat. Contact Nina Green, Associate Director, Health System Physical Plant, at nlg2n@virginia.edu with questions.

Medical Center PTO Cash Out Approaching: Review “Use or Lose” Hours | Nov. 4–14 | Cash out process instructions will be sent via email on Thursday, Nov. 4. Read more on Connect.

Happenings

Medical Center Hour | Overview of a Pandemic | Wednesday, Oct. 27 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | Dr. Sylvie Briand from the World Health Organization will present on how the pandemic has evolved over time and will give a high-level overview of emerging issues during each phase of the pandemic.

Wisdom & Well-Being Program Presents “Breaking the Code of Silence“ | Thursday, Oct. 28 | noon-1 p.m. | Webinar | This is first in a “Breaking the Silence” series of panel discussions that will address urgent mental health issues such as physician suicide, burnout, and other occupational stress injuries. Corey Feist, CEO of UVA Physicians Group, will open the discussion, and Richard J. Westphal, PhD, RN, Wisdom & Well-Being Program Co-Leader, will moderate. Read more on Connect. 

Updated Headshots Available for Physicians, NPs, and PAs | McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G047 | Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants needing an updated headshot for their pages on uvahealth.com are invited to stop by for a photo. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided. Walk-in dates are as follows:

• Friday, Oct. 29 | 2-5 p.m. (date change)
• Wednesday, Nov. 3 | 9 a.m.-Noon
• Tuesday, Nov. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 18 | 8-11 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 22 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Appreciation

Thank You to Pharmacy Team Members and Medical Assistants | Today’s Appreciation goes out to two special groups at UVA Health who are taking care of patients and deserve a big high five:

Happy National Pharmacy Week | National Pharmacy Week is a time to recognize the significant contributions pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy staff make to the healthcare team and to recognize their role in ensuring that our patients receive optimal outcomes from their medications. Pharmacy team members in our hospital, ambulatory care clinics, and outpatient pharmacies are essential in providing safe and effective medication use, patient care, and medication education. Please take a moment to thank a pharmacy team member!

Happy Medical Assistants Recognition Week | The third full week of every October is Medical Assistants Recognition Week. In 2021, the theme is “Not All Heroes Wear Capes!” Thank you to all medical assistants who save the day with super patient care. You ensure healthcare reaches patients in the most effective and efficient way, and you are appreciated for all you do daily! 

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

Replay: Today’s “Ask Me Anything” Q&A Forum with Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton

Medical Center team members posed questions about topics ranging from compensation and market adjustment to staffing and retention during the Oct. 20 “Ask Me Anything” session. We also introduced our new Chief Nursing Officer, Kathy Baker, PhD. (Welcome, Kathy!) Additional sessions are being planned, and anyone who missed today’s discussion can access the replay link here. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu now or during the next forum on Nov. 10. For your convenience, a speed-watcher’s guide with topics and time-code stamps will be posted to Connect on Thursday, Oct. 21.

Current Patient Census (as of 10:35 a.m. Oct. 20)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 20)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Keeping Kids Safe from COVID-19 | ​​In her latest post on Vision and Voice, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, chats with Dr. Debbie-Ann Shirley on how to keep kids safe from COVID-19 at school and at home. “As we eagerly wait for a safe and effective COVID vaccine for children under the age of 12, several layers of protection can be put in place to help decrease the risk while in school and at play.” Read more.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Patient Care

Patients May Now Update COVID-19 Vaccination Information in MyChart | Thanks to clinical team request, new functionality enables our patients to initiate updates to their COVID-19 vaccination information through MyChart.

• To review their information, patients can click COVID-19 in the MyChart main menu. If expected vaccination information is not present, patients can click Enter Vaccine Details to enter vaccine information and upload a file or photo of documentation. An Under Review status will display until documentation is approved by clinicians.
• Clinical Team Steps: When a patient submits vaccination information, a prompt will appear in the InBasket Patient Clinical Update folder. Submissions by patients who have not established care will be routed to a Clinical Support Pool for review. Tip Sheet: Reconciling Covid-19 Vaccines.

Operations

Corporate Compliance and Privacy Office Launches Survey | Deadline: Friday Oct. 29 | The Corporate Compliance and Privacy Office is seeking feedback about how well it is meeting team members’ needs to determine what is being done well and what needs to be improved. The survey is confidential and takes about five minutes to complete. All who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for two $50 VISA® gift cards if they provide their user ID.  Take the survey here.

Hoos in the News

Associated Press | Pelphrey on Autism Findings | The national Associated Press sought out Kevin Pelphrey, PhD, a top autism researcher at the School of Medicine and the UVA Brain Institute, to comment on a study of a new experimental therapy. His insights appeared in news outlets across the country — a wonderful recognition of his expertise. Read more.

Happenings

Final Chance to Vote in the PNSO Election | Voting Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 | RNs have just hours left to vote for the 2022 Professional Nursing Staff Organization (PNSO) President-Elect and 2022–2023 Nominating Committee members. Elected candidates will serve in the Shared Governance structure for UVA nursing, of which all nurses are members. Visit the PNSO website to learn more and vote now. Read why it matters on Connect.

Discounted Football Tickets | Virginia vs. Georgia Tech | Saturday, Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Scott Stadium | Tickets: $15 | Join UVA Health colleagues at Scott Stadium and save 40% off the regular price with this special offer. Seats are reserved within upper level sections 511-529 and 537-539. You may also choose to watch the game with Virginia students and other fans on the grass hillside above the north end zone. Buy tickets online.

Deadline Extended: Nominate for LPN of the Year | Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 | In November, UVA Health will honor one Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from the Medical Center for the Annual LPN of the Year Award and one LPN from the Medical Center for the LPN Honorable Mention Award. Nominate now.

Donate to the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) | The CVC serves as a critical source of funding for community nonprofits by providing employees of state agencies a convenient way to donate — whether by payroll deduction or other means. Because of the pandemic, the need in the community is high and donating even a small amount through the CVC can make a difference. Read more on Connect.

Appreciation

Spotlights on Quality and Prevention | UVA Health is recognizing two important areas this week: From Oct. 17-23 we’re celebrating both “Healthcare Quality Week” and “International Infection Prevention Week.” 

According to the National Association for Healthcare Quality, Healthcare Quality Week “is a dedicated time to celebrate the profession and raise awareness of the positive impact healthcare quality professionals have in their organizations and communities. Amid the global pandemic, quality has taken center stage and more healthcare professionals are being called upon to do this critical work.” Take a moment this week to thank your UVA Health colleagues for their dedication to this important work.

This year, International Infection Prevention Week celebrates 35 years, having been established by President Ronald Reagan in 1986 to bring attention to the importance of infection prevention in saving lives and healthcare dollars. This year, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology is highlighting infection preventionists with the theme “Make Your Intention Infection Prevention,” and focusing on the science behind infection prevention and inspiring the next generation of preventionists to join the fight. Thank you to our team members who are creating safer healthcare practices and reducing the threat of healthcare-associated infections.

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Monday, Oct. 18, 2021

All Invited: Virtual Coffee Chat With Chief Strategy Officer Jason Lineen

Everyone across UVA Health is invited to meet with Jason Lineen for an informal discussion/listening session to provide input into the future direction of the organization and ask questions about our progress to date. In order to facilitate the interactive discussion, each session is limited to 20 participants. The new series will begin this week, on Oct. 20, at 7 a.m. Email Peggy Pasternak at PSP3P@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu to RSVP to one of the nine dates scheduled through December. Read more. 

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:20 p.m. Oct. 18)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 18)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

6 Ways Our Ambulatory Team Is Supporting Current COVID Needs | During gemba rounding, medical center leadership has heard about the great work being done by our ambulatory team to provide speedy access to outpatient care and reduce the strain on the Emergency Department (ED) resources. The list includes the following:

1. ED Support | Ambulatory team members continue to train and provide support to the ED for the fast-track care model for lower acuity patients (small cuts, vomiting, diarrhea, ear pain, eye redness/itchiness, etc.).
2. Respiratory Clinic | UVA Primary Care Orange Clinic has established a respiratory clinic to see patients with urgent and ongoing respiratory illness.
3. Doc of the Day | University Physicians Charlottesville (UPC) has a “Doc of the Day” — this physician sees urgent patients in the clinic and through telemedicine visits. Also, all providers in this clinic have moved to full telemedicine visits for the last 90 minutes of the day, allowing clinical staff to attend to messages/follow-up work and create capacity for urgent patient needs.
4. Urgent Access to Ophthalmology Care | Ophthalmology has an on-call provider every day with no pre-scheduled visits to allow for urgent access throughout the day (preventing ED visits).
5. Oncology Symptom Clinic | Oncology has an urgent symptom clinic where the Infusion Clinic nurse practitioner works with attending physicians and clinical teams to coordinate care for patients who need to be seen.
6. Virtual Urgent Care | This service is available to patients (noon-2 p.m. Monday-Friday) who have minor illnesses and injuries that require prompt medical attention and would otherwise result in a visit to the ED.

How to Scout Healthy Foods in the Cafeterias | Entrees, snacks, and sides marked with the Hoos Choice™ logo in the Medical Center cafes indicate healthier options. All items meet certain criteria for calories, saturated fats, and sodium, making it easier for you to find, access, and afford healthier options. Read more.

Happenings

Virtual Q&A Forum | Be Heard: Ask Me Anything with Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center | Wednesday, Oct. 20 | noon-12:30 p.m. | Live-Streamed Event | Medical Center team members are invited to join Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center, for a virtual Q&A. Open dialogue about important Medical Center topics and updates will not only ensure that everyone stays informed, it gives us the chance to share, grow, and evolve together. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu now or during the forum.

Calling All RNs: Vote in the PNSO Election | Voting Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21 | Vote for the 2022 Professional Nursing Staff Organization (PNSO) President-Elect and 2022–2023 Nominating Committee members. Elected candidates will serve in the Shared Governance structure for UVA nursing, of which all nurses are members. Visit the PNSO website to learn more and vote now.

Donate Socks for Feet in Need | University Hospital Cafeteria and Wahoo West Café | Through Friday, Oct. 29 | Support Socktober by bringing in socks to the cafeterias and win prizes. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive a pizza party. Second place wins a novelty ice cream party. Socks will be donated to The Haven and The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Read more on Connect. 

Reduce the Impact of Ransomware Attacks By Securely Backing Up Important Data | As part of its commitment to keeping our systems and patient information safe, the UVA Health HIT Security team is sharing its final weekly tip for Cybersecurity Awareness month. This week’s focus is protecting against ransomware attacks. Did you know that ransomware can not only steal data but also block the use of medical “smart” devices that are connected to a network? Learn more with this week’s cyber check-up:

1. Backup software, hardware. What equipment would you need to continue providing quality patient care? Ensure life-saving systems that utilize or require unique configuration files are backed up periodically in case of a security or hardware security event.
2. Back up files on your personal workstation or external storage. HIT runs a nightly backup of all shared (O, Z, etc.) and personal folders (F) but not the data stored on your local workstation or external storage such as a USB. The best approach is to store the data on an approved shared or personal folder. Another option is to request and utilize a UVA Health Dropbox account for a convenient, secure way to store, backup, and share work files through the Access Management Platform.

Questions about backing up data, especially when it may contain PHI or other sensitive information? Learn more about our Data Backup and Restoration Standard, or email MCCSECURITY@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Share these tips with your team, and learn more on the HIT Ransomware Resilience page.

Appreciation

Dean Kibbe Offers First Shout Outs | In a message summarizing the highlights of her first month as Dean of the School of Medicine, Melina Kibbe, MD offered the following note of appreciation: “The last month has also brought some impressive national attention to the School of Medicine. All of us should be immensely proud that one of our own Dr. Jochen Zimmer (pictured right), Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biomedical Physics, was named an Investigator by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute — considered among the highest honors a biomedical scientist can achieve. Additionally, we should share the spotlight given promising work to develop a universal coronavirus vaccine by Dr. Steven Zeichner (pictured left), Professor of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology. I know these are just two more prominent examples of the life-changing work happening here every day. And for that, I'm grateful we all have the privilege to be a part of these inspiring efforts.” Read the full message on Connect.

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Friday, Oct. 15, 2021

Last Chance: Final Vaccination Catch-Up Clinic to Be Held Monday, Oct. 18 

Monday is the final day that unvaccinated team members can complete their COVID-19 vaccination in time to meet the Nov. 1 mandatory compliance deadline. The team member vaccination clinic in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center will be offering vaccinations by appointment from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday. Appointments must be scheduled through VaxTrax. Vaccinations are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:50 p.m., Oct. 15)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 15)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

UVA Health to Expand Community COVID-19 Vaccinations Starting on Monday, Oct. 18 | UVA Health will begin offering a full complement of COVID-19 vaccinations by appointment to patients and the public at four locations: a special clinic being set up in Conference Room B of the Education Resource Center (ERC) and at outpatient pharmacies in Pantops, Zion Crossroads, and Augusta. All locations will provide first, second, third, and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the single-dose J&J vaccine. The recently approved third dose of the Moderna vaccine will also be available to eligible, immuno-compromised individuals. The Outpatient Pharmacy at the ERC will no longer offer COVID vaccinations due to its proximity to the new clinic in ERC-B. Read more on Connect.

Operations

Medical Center Market Review | Results from the most recent market study have been collected. Medical Center leadership and UVA HR will complete their review of this data and finalize decisions about compensation adjustments for this initial phase of the program within the next two weeks. See the timeline of events and other details on Connect. If you have questions, please talk with your manager or HR Business Partner, or join the Be Heard: Ask Me Anything Q&A forum with Medical Center leadership on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Strategic Planning Update | New Participation Opportunities for Team Members | Work on our “One Future Together” strategic planning process is steadily progressing. The four interdisciplinary Strategic Planning Work Groups are now developing the vision and framework that will shape our long-range strategy in each mission area: Clinical/Patient Care, Community & Health Equity, Education and Research. To ensure that our strategic planning process remains participatory and inclusive, we are launching a series of “Virtual Coffee Chats” that can be attended by anyone who works at UVA Health. These will be informal discussion/listening sessions during which attendees can provide input regarding the future direction of our organization and ask questions about strategic planning progress to date. To facilitate robust, interactive discussions, each session will be capped at 20 participants. Read details on Connect.

Saturday Football Game to Impact Traffic | Increased traffic is expected in and around Grounds during the Saturday, Oct. 16, UVA home football game against Duke. If you are driving to the game or passing through the area, please allow additional travel time.

Exterior Scaffolding Removal | Pinn Hall

• Friday, Oct. 22, and Saturday, Oct. 23 | 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | The main west entrance to Pinn Hall from JPA will be closed to remove scaffolding. Signage will be posted to redirect people to use the South Lane Road entrance.
• Saturday, Oct. 23 | 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | The sidewalk and right-turn lane between the main west entrance to Pinn Hall from JPA and the corner at Lee Street will be closed to remove overhead protection. Signage will be posted to detour pedestrians.

Happenings

South Tower Lights Up for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day | On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the South Tower turned pink, teal, and green for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Cancer can metastasize (spread) from the breasts to other parts of the body months or even years after successful treatment. According to METAvivor Research and Support Inc., 98% of all breast cancer deaths are a result of metastatic breast cancer. Why pink, teal, and green? They symbolize renewal, hope, and immortality (green); healing and spirituality (teal); and metastatic cancer that originated in the breast (pink). 

Medical Center Hour | Atomic Doctors: Conscience and Complicity at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age | Wednesday, Oct. 20 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | After his father died, James Nolan, Jr. discovered his grandfather’s role as a doctor in the Manhattan Project. Participation on the project challenged Dr. Nolan’s instincts as a healer. He and his medical colleagues were often conflicted, torn between their duty and desire to win the war and their oaths to protect life. Read more on Connect.

Appreciation

Thank You, Dr. Luna! | Hispanic Heritage Month is observed Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and it’s a time for those outside of the Hispanic community to focus on the needs and contributions of our Hispanic neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Max Luna, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, is passionate about increasing awareness and has dedicated much of his career to supporting Hispanic health and well-being. Dr. Luna serves on the Virginia Latino Advisory Board and created the UVA Latino Health Initiative (LHI). He says, “Among many inspirations I enjoy while working with LHI are the dozens of medical students that have devoted their valuable time to serve in our programs. I am sure that all of them will develop into physicians that will serve and protect vulnerable communities wherever their future takes them. Additionally, I am grateful that UVA Health has been committed to serve our Latinx community during and after COVID-19 the way they have.” Read the full story on Connect.

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021

Watch the Replay From Today’s “Ask Me Anything” Forum with Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton

Medical Center team members posed questions about topics ranging from compensation and vaccinations to remote working and time off benefits during the Oct. 13 “Ask Me Anything” session. Additional sessions are being planned, and anyone who missed today’s discussion can access the replay link here. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu now or during the next forum.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:51 p.m., Oct. 13)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 13)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Three Catch-Up Clinics Left Before Oct. 18 Vaccination Deadline | Schedule your appointment now during one of the final catch-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics being held on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center on the following dates:

• Thursday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (This Is the final date to receive the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose Johnson & Johnson to achieve full immunity by the Nov. 1 deadline)

Appointments must be scheduled through VaxTrax. Vaccinations are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

Virtual Town Hall: Pregnant Women and COVID Vaccinations | Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. |Presenters at this event – which is being hosted by the Blue Ridge Health District and UVA Health – include UVA experts Abby Southerland, OB-GYN Clinic Manager; obstetrician Jennifer Doorey, MD; pediatrician Irene Matthieu, MD; and neonatologist David Kaufman, MD.

• Community members can register on Zoom to ask questions live during the town hall
• Live streaming options: Boxcast TV, City Hall Twitter, City Hall Facebook, BRHD Facebook, City Website, and Comcast Cable Channel 10
• Find more info about COVID vaccines and pregnancy on the CDC website.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Patient Care

Status Update: In Person Visits May Incorrectly Appear as Virtual Visits on Schedule, MyChart | Resulting from a change made during the Epic Upgrade, visits that were scheduled as in-person may be incorrectly displaying the Virtual Visit video icon within the Connection Status column on the provider schedule, as shown in this example. All visit types that are not identified as Prof Remote or Telemedicine should be assumed to be in person. To further confirm the visit type, please check with your area’s Access Team. Within MyChart, Patients also may see a video icon and Virtual Visit information associated with their appointment. Corrective updates to our system will continue to process overnight. In addition, efforts to contact patients with upcoming visits and to clarify visit information within MyChart are underway. Resolution is expected within the next day and updates will be shared as they are available.

Operations

Seeking Joy in Everyday Life | In her latest post on Vision and Voice, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses how “it's been hard at times to stay positive with all that's going on in the world and our community.” She also shares a video message from Veronica Brill, Interim Chief Nursing Officer, who describes five things that have helped her stay positive over the last year and a half. Read more.

West Complex Phlebotomy Lab Closure Extended Through Friday, Oct. 29 | Continued staffing constraints are necessitating extension of this temporary closure. Patients normally served by the West Complex lab will be directed to the first floor lab in the Primary Care Center. Those needing transportation assistance can use either the golf cart, which will run 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, or wheelchairs provided by Volunteer Services. Patients with lab-only visits should be referred to alternative locations.

• Clinic-Collect Samples | No impact to the drop-off location and courier pickup.
• Patient Home Collect Samples | Dropbox located outside the West Complex Lab with signage. Specimens can also be dropped off at alternate locations, including the Core Laboratory Building.
• In-Clinic Lab Draw | When clinically appropriate, please call 434.924.5227 to coordinate.
• Patient Education/Clinic Communication | Clinics impacted by the temporary lab closure have received materials. Email requests for materials to Panwichit Tongvichit at pt6b@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Happenings

Your Blood Is Urgently Needed: Sign Up to Donate | Thursday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, First Floor | The American Red Cross is launching an emergency appeal for blood donors in response to widespread blood and platelet shortages. For the month of October, the American Red Cross is offering a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich card or a $5 e-gift card. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu. Read more on Connect.

Act Now: Open Enrollment Ends Friday, Oct. 15 | Elect your benefits in Workday. Your FSA and HSA elections will NOT carry over to 2022 unless you actively elect them before midnight on Friday, Oct. 15. Changes go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Read more.

Nominate a Colleague for LPN of the Year | Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17 | In November, UVA Health will honor one Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from the Medical Center for the Annual LPN of the Year Award and one LPN from the Medical Center for the LPN Honorable Mention Award. Also show your appreciation by saying, “Thanks!” to a deserving LPN and sending them a Happy Gram. Nominate now.

Coffee With Colleagues | Medical Center | Thursday, Oct. 21 | 3-4 p.m. | Team members are invited to take a brief break with Wendy Horton, UVA Medical Center CEO. This is an opportunity to pause, breathe, and share whatever you’d like. In light of current restrictions, no actual coffee will be served, but you will receive a card to redeem for a treat. Upcoming events are scheduled for 3-4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Fontaine Research Park and Dec.21 at the Medical Center. More dates will be announced in the new year. Register.

It’s Socktober: Donate Socks for Feet in Need | University Hospital Cafeteria and Wahoo West Café | Through Friday, Oct. 29 | Support Socktober by bringing in socks to the cafeterias and win prizes. When dropping off socks, ask for the retail manager on duty who will record how many socks are being collected from your area. The departments that bring in the most socks (accounting for department size) will receive a pizza party. Second place wins a novelty ice cream party. Socks will be donated to The Haven and The Salvation Army. Questions? Contact Chadwick French, Director of Retail, at cf4cp@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

Nominate: 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University of Virginia Health System Award | Deadline: 4 pm. Friday, Dec. 10 | Presented annually to a student, faculty, or staff member of UVA Health who embodies Dr. Martin Luther King’s values and teachings in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. Read more and download a nomination form on Connect.

Appreciation

Breast Cancer Awareness at UVA Health | In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, much appreciation goes out to the breast care team members who make sure women are screened for breast cancer all year long. The team diagnoses, treats, educates, and supports patients, and they regularly put an emphasis on prevention. Thank you to everyone who dedicates their careers to keeping women healthy and cancer-free. Read about the 12 places UVA Health team members can get breast cancer screenings on Connect. 

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Monday, Oct. 11, 2021

One Week Left Before Oct. 18 Vaccination Deadline

Schedule your appointment now for one of the final catch-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics! To support team members in achieving full vaccination status by the Nov. 1 compliance deadline, catch-up clinics are being held on the following dates:

• Thursday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Final date to receive second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose Johnson & Johnson to achieve full immunity by the Nov. 1 deadline)

Team members should schedule appointments through VaxTrax and follow signage to the clinic, which is located on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Vaccinations are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

Vaccinators Urgently Needed | Thursday, Oct. 14, Friday, Oct. 15 and Monday, Oct. 18 | Vaccinators are needed at the catch-up clinics for team members. Sign up via Employee Catch-Up Clinic Vaccinator Sign-Up - Google Sheets under the “Volunteer EC4 Vaccinators” tab, or email Director, Occupational Health & Wellness Tonya Swarey at TJS2K@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. 

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 1:20 p.m., Oct. 11)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 11)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Community COVID Testing Volunteers Needed | All Roles, All Dates | UVA Health has been providing about 300 COVID-19 tests per week to vulnerable community members in the Charlottesville area each week for over a year now. Upcoming events this month will be held each Monday and Tuesday evening and are in need of the following volunteer roles: COVID testers, testing assistants, support (greeters/registration support/traffic control) and Spanish-speaking floating volunteers.

• Learn more and sign up here: COVID Community Testing SignUpGenius.
• For questions, please contact Cecelia Magargee at cwm2z@virginia.edu.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Patient Care

Epic Downtime and Upgrade | Begins Tuesday at 11 p.m. | Please take time to review Epic system downtime procedures. This upgrade will include the debut of Zoom, a new HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine Virtual Visit platform for Ambulatory, that launches directly from Epic. 

• Downtime | Tuesday, Oct. 12, 11 p.m. (2.5 hour duration. During this time, the Supports Read Only, SRO, function of Epic for view-only access to charts and other documentation will be available.)
• Go-Live | Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1:30 a.m.

Key Resources:

• Team Members: Upgrade Guide
• Managers: Communication & Planning Toolkit
• Providers: LIP Upgrade Guide
• Epic-Integrated Zoom: Reference Guide, Implementation Resources

For questions, please contact the Health Information & Technology Help Desk at 434.924.5334, or visit Upgrade Central on the Epic Learning Library.

Operations

Have You Received a Suspicious Email, Text, or Call? Report It to the UVA Health Security Team | In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness month, the UVA Health HIT Security Team is offering a series of weekly tips to help keep our systems and patient information safe. This week’s tip outlines a process to use in spotting and reporting Phishing attacks, or requests for your information from groups who pose as trustworthy organizations:

1. Learn the Signs. Messages that contain a suspicious sender address, threatening language, poor grammar or layout, or suspicious attachments could be a phishing attempt. When you receive a suspicious message, hover over the sender’s email address or any hyperlinks (but don’t click)… you may notice that the email doesn’t match the organization, or that the url has a variation from the real organization’s url (e.g., .org instead of .com). Remember, UVA Health will never contact you to ask for your password or personal information.
2. Phishing Isn’t Just for Email Anymore. Phishing attempts may happen over a phone call, with or without fraudulent caller ID information, or even via text messages that ask you to click a link.
3. Don’t Click. Report suspicious emails, texts, and phone calls. If you believe a communication is suspicious, do not click any links, give personal information, or click on attachments. Forward the email, or as much information as you have to our HIT Security Team at MCCSecurity@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Share these tips with your team, and learn more on the HIT Fight the Phish page.

Happenings

Virtual Q&A Forum | Be Heard: Ask Me Anything with Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center | Wednesday, Oct. 13 | noon-12:30 p.m. | Live Streamed Event | Medical Center team members are invited to join Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center, for a virtual Q&A. Open dialogue about important Medical Center topics and updates will not only ensure that we all stay informed, it gives us the chance to share, grow, and evolve together. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu now or during the forum.

Hospital Cafeteria Wants Your Feedback | Survey Deadline: Friday, Oct. 15 | Morrison Healthcare, UVA Health’s dining vendor, is seeking feedback on your experience at the east café. Fill out a survey to let them know how they did and how they can make it better for you next time. Click here to take the survey now. 

• New Menu Offerings | Now that summer has come to an end, new flavors will be available at the BBQ station in the main café. In October, check out “Tackle Box,” featuring crab cakes, mahi-mahi tacos, grilled shrimp po’boys, and more. In November, “Naan Sense,” an Indian-themed station, will serve tikka masala, vindaloo, and a lentil dal.

Review Your Benefits: Open Enrollment | Through Friday, Oct. 15 | View plan changes and

premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your benefits for 2022. Read more.

Updated Headshots Available for Physicians, NPs, and PAs | McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G047 | Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants needing an updated headshot for their pages on uvahealth.com are invited to stop by for a photo. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided. Walk-in dates are:

• Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 8-11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 29 | 2-5 p.m.

2021 Virtual Nursing & Healthcare Education Fair | Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 5-7 p.m. | Explore continuing education opportunities through virtual interactive sessions, connect in real-time with educators to discuss degree programs and education requirements, and learn about scholarship programs, mentorship, and tuition reimbursement during live sessions with UVA staff. Nursing, Pharmacy Tech, Radiology, and CNA representatives will be available. Please print and post this flyer on your unit for your colleagues’ awareness of this event. Register and learn more.

Appreciation

Running for Our Nurses  | UVA President Jim Ryan completed the Boston Marathon today and dedicated his run to honoring nurses and raising money for nursing scholarships. The back of Ryan’s shirt bore the names of 26 nurses — one for each mile he ran. 

One of Ryan’s biggest boosters was K. Craig Kent, MD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, who tweeted: “.@presjimryan is running @bostonmarathon in honor of nurses/raising money for@UVASON scholarships. I'm proud to honor Roman Abdul Satar, @uvahealthnews CNA in our COVID Unit pursuing a CNL. … Thank you, President Ryan, for honoring nurses for all their amazing work and selfless dedication to our communities!”

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Friday, Oct. 8

It’s Not Too Late to Leave Your Mark on UVA’s Next Decade

Help shape the long-term vision and direction for UVA Health by sharing your thoughts and ideas with leadership. Leave a comment on the One Future Together site or find a suggestion box around UVA Health facilities. Ideas can be general or about one of our four missions: patient care, research, education, and community & health equity. Read more and share your ideas.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 2:50 p.m., October 8)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 8)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

Schedule Appointments Now: Final Catch-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics | Oct. 14, 15, and 18 | To support team members in achieving full vaccination status by the Nov. 1 compliance deadline, catch-up clinics are being held on the following dates:

• Thursday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Final date to receive second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose Johnson & Johnson to achieve full immunity by the Nov. 1 deadline)

Team members should schedule appointments through VaxTrax and follow signage to the clinic, which is located on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Vaccinations are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

Review Your Benefits: Open Enrollment | Through Friday, Oct. 15 | View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your benefits for 2022. Read more. 

Happenings

Nominate a Colleague for LPN of the Year | Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17 | In November, UVA Health will honor one Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from the Medical Center for the annual LPN of the Year Award and one LPN from the Medical Center for the LPN Honorable Mention Award. Also show your appreciation by saying, “Thanks!” to a deserving LPN and sending them a Happy Gram. Nominate now. 

Medical Center Hour | “I read on Twitter that...”: Promoting Sound Public Health Guidance in a Sea of a Million Voices | Wednesday, Oct. 13 | noon-1 p.m. | Pinn Hall Conference Center or Zoom | Getting traction around COVID mitigation efforts has been infinitely more challenging given the social, political, and pseudoscientific voices sounding off on every digital platform. Medical Center Hour will discuss what has worked, what has not, and what the last 18 months have taught us about the way we need to approach our work beyond the pandemic. 

Your Blood Is Urgently Needed: Sign Up to Donate | Thursday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, First Floor | The American Red Cross is launching an emergency appeal for blood donors in response to widespread blood and platelet shortages. For the month of October, the American Red Cross is offering a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich card or a $5 e-gift card. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu. Read more on Connect.

Appreciation

Happy Customer Service Week! | This week, we celebrate and appreciate the team members who provide top-notch customer service every day. “We are celebrating Customer Service Week by making sure the agents know how much we appreciate them,” says Patty Frye, Contact Center Manager. The Call Center has celebrated this week with a different activity every day. They’ve enjoyed pizza, candy, and “Nacho Your Average Team Member” nachos, received personal hand-written cards from supervisors, and more. Thank you to everyone who represents the face of our organization! We appreciate you! 

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Wednesday, Oct. 6

Speed-Watcher’s Guide | Be Heard: Ask Me Anything Q&A Forum Playback

Thank you to those who were able to join the inaugural Be Heard | Ask Me Anything Q&A Forum with Medical Center CEO, Wendy Horton and the Medical Center leadership team. During this hour-long meeting, Medical Center leaders addressed topics including compensation, retention, COVID-19 response and vaccination policies, and more. If you were unable to attend the forum or would like to review the robust Q&A session with full audio, the video can be viewed here. Additionally a speed-watcher’s guide has been posted on Connect for your convenience. It lists time-code stamps for the topics and questions covered during the meeting, so you can quickly view the content of greatest interest to you. 

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:35 p.m., Oct. 6)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 6)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Only Four Catch-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Left | To support team members in achieving full vaccination status by the Nov. 1 compliance deadline, catch-up clinics are being held on the following dates:

• Friday, Oct. 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Final date to receive second dose Pfizer and Moderna or the single dose J&J to achieve full immunity by the Nov. 1 deadline)

The clinics are offering second doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Team members should schedule appointments through VaxTrax and follow signage to the clinic, which is located on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. COVID-19 vaccines are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

Patient Care

Next Week: Epic Upgrade and Launch of Epic-Integrated Zoom | Important changes to our Epic system are coming your way on Wednesday, Oct. 13, including the debut of Zoom, a new HIPAA-compliant Telemedicine Virtual Visit platform for Ambulatory that launches directly from Epic. 

• Downtime | Tuesday, Oct. 12, 11 p.m. (estimated 2.5-hour duration)
• Go-Live | Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1:30 a.m.

 Key Resources:

• Team Members: Upgrade Guide
• Managers: Communication & Planning Toolkit
• Providers:  LIP Upgrade Guide
• Epic-Integrated Zoom: Reference Guide, Implementation Resources

For questions, please contact the Health Information & Technology Help Desk at 434.924.5334, or visit Upgrade Central on the Epic Learning Library.

Operations

Improving Compensation | ​​In her latest post on Vision and Voice, Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO, discusses how UVA Medical Center is committing more than $30 million this fiscal year to improve our compensation. “This is significant progress, but please know, we're just getting started.” Read more.

Happenings

The Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Launches | Oct. 6 marks the launch of the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC). The CVC serves as a critical source of funding for community nonprofits by providing employees of state agencies a convenient way to donate — whether by payroll deduction or other means. Because of the pandemic, the need in the community is great, and donating even a small amount through the CVC can make a difference. Read more on Connect.

CyraCom Connect Interpreter Training Session | Thursday, Oct. 7, noon-1:30 p.m. | Zoom | Learn how to request an interpreter to join your existing Zoom Video Visit or pre-schedule an interpreter for a future video visit. This is for anyone who uses, or may soon use, Epic-Integrated Zoom virtual visits or anyone who will help schedule an interpreter for Epic-integrated Zoom video visits. Class restarts every 15 minutes, drop in anytime. CyraCom Connect instructions. More training sessions and a recording of the session will be available soon. 

Physicians, NPs and PAs: Get an Updated Headshot | McKim Hall | Ground Floor | Room G047 | Physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants needing an updated headshot for their pages on uvahealth.com are invited to stop by for a photo. No appointment is needed. The shoot should take 10 minutes or less. Please bring a white coat if you have one; if not, one will be provided. Walk-in dates are:

• Tuesday, Oct. 12 | 8-11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 28 | 9 a.m.-noon

2021 Virtual Nursing Education Fair | Wednesday, Oct. 13 | 5-7 p.m. | Explore continuing education opportunities through virtual interactive sessions, connect in real-time with educators to discuss degree programs and education requirements, and learn about scholarship programs, mentorship, and tuition reimbursement during live sessions with UVA staff. Please print and post this flyer on your unit for your colleagues’ awareness of this event.

Your Blood Is Urgently Needed: Sign Up to Donate | Thursday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Quayle Learning Center | Battle Building, First Floor | The American Red Cross is launching an emergency appeal for blood donors in response to widespread blood and platelet shortages. For the month of October, the American Red Cross is offering a free Zaxby’s Signature Sandwich card or a $5 e-gift card. Appointments required. Sign up by emailing giveblood@virginia.edu. Read more on Connect.

Appreciation

Our Volunteer Vaccinators Are Awesome! | Thank you to the many clinicians who have been volunteering to work extra hours to provide flu shots. Team members like Christina Baber in the STICU personally administered more than 72 flu shots for employees between last Friday and Saturday night! This is an outstanding effort — thank you, thank you, thank you! Anyone who is able to work extra hours to assist in the flu vaccination program within non-clinical areas is asked to email fluvax@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Please indicate the dates and times you are able to help. Ideally, vaccinators should be available for a minimum of four hours.

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Monday, Oct. 4, 2021

Last Round of Catch-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Start This Week

To support team members in achieving full vaccination status by the Nov. 1 compliance deadline, catch-up clinics are being held on the following dates:

• Wednesday, Oct. 6 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 14 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 15 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

The clinics are offering second doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Team members should schedule appointments through VaxTrax and follow signage to the clinic, which is located on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. COVID-19 vaccines are also available at community sites listed on Vaccinate.Virginia.gov.

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:20 p.m., Oct. 4)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 4)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

Flu Shot Vaccinators Needed | Any clinician who is able to work extra hours providing flu shots within non-clinical areas is asked to email fluvax@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Please indicate the dates and times you are able to help. Ideally, being available for a minimum of four hours is best.

Happenings

Streaming Link Now Available for Ask Me Anything with Wendy Horton | Tuesday, Oct. 5 | noon-1 p.m. | Livestream: https://livestream.com/tavco/uvahs-liveqanda | Medical Center team members are invited to join Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center, for a virtual Q&A in this new event series. Open dialogue about important Medical Center topics and updates will not only ensure that we all stay informed, it gives us the chance to share, grow and evolve together. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu now or during the virtual Q&A forum.

Open Enrollment Starts Today | Through Friday, Oct. 15 | View plan changes and premiums on the Open Enrollment website before using the Open Enrollment event in Workday to select your benefits for 2022. Read more. 

Students Present Primary Care Week | Oct. 4-8 | Second-year Generalist Scholars Program students in the School of Medicine will present Primary Care Week. Speaking engagements include practicing high-value care, COVID and primary care, managing stress and burnout in medicine, medicine and mass incarceration, and caring for the dying. It also features a clinical skills night. All events are free and open to the public. Questions? Contact Caroline Lebegue at cjl5gum@virginia.edu or Stephen Oswald at 206.290.9241. Read details on the Dean’s Office Blog.

Take These 3 Actions Now to Secure Your Passwords | In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness month, the UVA Health HIT Security Team will be bringing you a tip each week to help you keep our systems and patient information safe. This week, HIT is highlighting the importance of passwords as the first line of defense against potential cyberattacks on our medical equipment, electronic medical records, and the support systems that keep our hospital running. Please take a few minutes to complete this three-step password checkup:

1. Never reuse a password. Passwords used to access UVA Health systems should never be used for any other purpose such as a login for personal email or bank accounts.
2. Craft a strong password. Create a passphrase that includes two or more words and a variety of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
3. Consider using a password manager. UVA Health offers LastPass to help team members generate and keep track of your UVA Health passwords. Request a LastPass account here.

Share these tips with your team, and learn more about password safety on the HIT Secure Your Password page.

Appreciation

Happy LPN Week! | Thank you to the Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) of UVA Health for your clinical skills, patient advocacy, and the contributions you make to the nursing and interprofessional teams every day. Team members can show appreciation by saying, “Thanks!” to a deserving LPN, sending them a Happy Gram, and nominating them for the LPN of the Year Award. Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. Pictured is Tracey Marshall, an LPN at UVA Primary Care Riverside. We appreciate you, LPNs!

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

Team Member Booster Shots Start on Monday, Oct. 4 

UVA Health will begin providing Pfizer vaccine booster shots to team members next week. Team members who completed the original two-dose series of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago are eligible for a booster dose. Those who received the Moderna or J&J vaccines are not eligible for a booster at this time and must wait for further recommendations from public health agencies. 

• Logistics | Booster shots will be provided in the infusion center on the second floor of the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. 
• Scheduling | Appointments are required and must be booked through VaxTrax. Due to a shortage of vaccinators, the number of appointments will initially be limited. Additional openings will be added as quickly as possible. Read more on Connect. 

COVID-19

Current Patient Census (as of 3:50 p.m., Oct. 1)

Workforce Impact (as of Oct. 1)
UVA Health team members affected and on paid administrative leave

(Information source: UVA Health Data Portal)

COVID Response Planning: A Pivotal Time with Long-Term Implications | In recent weeks, clinical and operational leaders have been meeting each weekday to review anticipated bed, staffing, and support resource needs to provide care for our patients. They have been taking a deep dive into the needs of our own organization and keeping a watchful eye on the support other area hospitals may need from us. Through this highly collaborative process, we gain insight on how to do things differently and are able to try new things while balancing staffing and patient needs. Current response plans include:

• Bed Planning and Staffing | We continue to leverage an increased extended stay capacity in the PACU.
• Ambulatory Team and Emergency Department | Ambulatory team members continue to train and provide support to the ED for the fast-track care model for lower acuity patients (small cuts, vomiting, diarrhea, ear pain, eye redness/itchiness, etc.).
• Acute and Critical Care | A volunteer, prioritization and training model has been established by the SRO, with direct Nurse Manager and Director input, to support the team staffing approach for our ICUs, which brings acute care and IMU clinical support to the nursing teams in these areas. The current plan is to deploy this team nursing model through the next week to support the current census and staffing needs.

(COVID-19 Dashboard | COVID-19 Resources Page)

Operations

Flu Shot Vaccinators Needed | Any clinician who is able to work extra hours providing flu shots within non-clinical areas is asked to email fluvax@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu. Please indicate the dates and times you are able to help. Ideally, being available for a minimum of four hours is best.

Happenings

Save the Date | Be Heard: Ask Me Anything with Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center | Tuesday, Oct. 5 | noon-1 p.m. | Live Streamed Event (event link will be shared on Monday) | Medical Center team members are invited to join Wendy Horton, CEO, UVA Medical Center, for a virtual Q&A in this new event series. Open dialogue about important Medical Center topics and updates will not only ensure that we all stay informed, it gives us the chance to share, grow and evolve — together. Submit questions to AskMeAnything@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu — now or during the virtual Q&A forum.

Students Present Primary Care Week | Oct. 4-8 | Second-year Generalist Scholars Program students in the School of Medicine will present Primary Care Week. Speaking engagements include practicing high-value care, COVID and primary care, managing stress and burnout in medicine, medicine and mass incarceration, and caring for the dying. It also features a clinical skills night. All events are free and open to the public. Questions? Contact Caroline Lebegue at cjl5gum@virginia.edu or Stephen Oswald at 206.290.9241. Read details on the Dean’s Office Blog.

Medical Center Hour | Where the Sidewalk Ends and Primary Care Begins | Wednesday, Oct. 6 | noon-1 p.m. | Zoom | In this presentation, we will use what we have learned during the pandemic, as well as the findings of the consensus study on primary care by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, to consider the future directions of primary care.

Nominate Now: 2021 Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year Award | Deadline: 11:59 p.m., Oct. 15 | The UVA Licensing & Ventures Group is seeking nominations for the 2021 Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year Award. This award is the highest honor for University of Virginia faculty, staff, or student innovators whose research is making a major impact on society. Submit nominations to lvg@virginia.edu. Learn more.

Appreciation

A Tweet of Appreciation and a ReTweet of Congratulations | Last week, K. Craig Kent, MD, Chief Executive Officer, UVA Health, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, gave a Twitter shoutout to our colleagues in the ED, saying: “Just visited our Emergency Department at UVA Medical Center. These incredible physicians, nurses & support team members see 60k+ patients annually. Even amid a pandemic, they continue to provide specialized treatment in a friendly, confident and caring environment. Thank you!”

He also retweeted about Dr. Ebony Hilton’s recent accolade: “Congratulations to Dr. Ebony Hilton who has been presented The 2021 National Leadership Award by the National Newspaper Publishers Association @NNPA BlackPress for her "outstanding & courageous leadership, clarion voice, passionate activism..." (there is more!) @uvahealthnews” 

Connect | UVA Health Bridge Plan | UVA Human Resources
Faculty and Employee Assistance Program | Wisdom & Well-being Program

Archive of previous UVA Health Updates

• March 30-July 31, 2020
• Aug. 3-Sept. 30, 2020
• Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2020
• Jan. 1-March 31, 2021
• April 1-30, 2021
• May 1-31, 2021
• June 1-30, 2021
• July 1-31, 2021
• Aug.1-31, 2021
• Sept.1-30, 2021