Connect

COVID VACCINE PROGRAM

COVID Vax Snapshot | As of Dec. 29

Did You Miss Yesterday’s COVID Vax Q&A Session? | View session here. To find information of greatest interest to you, you can also access a speed-watcher’s guide to the session on Connect.

Parking Validation for Off-Site Vaccine Recipients | Anyone coming to the COVID Vaccine Clinic from an off-site location can ask their vaccinator for a parking validation ticket for the 11^thStreet Parking Garage. Vaccine recipients working on-site at the Medical Center will not be offered parking validation tickets and should park in their designated parking area. One exception: On-site recipients who come to the clinic on their day off can request a parking validation ticket.

Testimonial: UVA Health Vaccine Recipient No. 1 | “Being the first person to receive the vaccine was truly an honor, but was bittersweet. I felt as if a weight was lifted, and at the same time I couldn’t help thinking about the 300,000+ Americans who would never have the chance to get vaccinated. Here is a short video explaining why I thought getting vaccinated was important in the first place.” – Ebony Jade Hilton, MD, Associate Professor, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine

PPE UPDATE

N95 Mask Supply | While the worldwide supply chain for PPE has been constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic, UVA Health is working hard to protect our front-line teams by monitoring PPE supply inventory and use according to strict protocols. We currently have the PPE supply needed for our health care teams to properly care for our patients. The supply of the 1860S model of N95 is one that we are closely monitoring due to limited market supply. We are actively working to secure additional product, identifying appropriate alternatives for team members to use, and exploring every possible step to maintain and expand our supplies through new and existing vendor relationships:

• Battelle N95 mask reprocessing continues weekly. This process returns an estimated 2,000 N95 masks into our supply each week.
• We have recently expanded the Owens & Minor/Halyard North American relationship to secure a steady influx of duckbill N95 masks in early 2021. This three-year agreement will ensure an additional 26,000 duckbill N95 masks each month beginning as early as January 2021.

If you need more PPE on your unit, please call 434.982.6712 or email Supply Chain. If you need to be fit-tested for a mask, please contact Employee Health via email or phone (434.924.2013).

PATIENT CARE

Ideal Pre-Operative COVID-19 Testing Time Frame | Although the testing standard is for patients to complete a PCR COVID-19 test within 7 calendar days before their scheduled surgery, ideally this test should be performed as close as possible to the scheduled surgery. The Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Center (ACTC) in the ERC offers access to the most ideal turnaround time of 2-4 days. The 7-day window was established to accommodate patients who need to obtain testing outside of UVA, which can have slower turn-around times for results.

Urgent Pre-Operative Testing Reminders:

• Only PCR Tests Meet the Testing Standard. Patients who test outside UVA should be counseled that only PCR test results can be accepted, not antigen tests.  Patients will be retested on the day of surgery, if they arrive with antigen testing.
• Patient Adherence to Recommended Self-Isolation Guidance Is Critical.Regardless of testing time frames, it is critical that patients adhere to pre-procedural self-isolation guidelines to reduce the risk of having a COVID-19 infection at the time of surgery. Pre-procedural testing and self-isolation guidance is key to keeping our patients safe, research indicates that patients undergoing surgery with an active COVID-19 infection are at increased risk for worse outcomes.
• UVA Testing Options Require Advance Scheduling and Orders. Surgical teams must ensure that testing orders are placed and patients are scheduled for testing at both the ERC Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Center (ACTC) and the COVID Clinic (for those meeting specific criteria: i.e. cannot self-administer test, naso-septal defects, etc.). Walk-ins are not accepted at these locations.

UPDATE: Requests for Pre-Procedural Testing Expansion | Some proposals for inclusion in pre-procedural testing were received and are currently in review. Feedback will be shared beginning Monday, Jan. 11, 2021.

OPERATIONS

Modified UVA Health Update Schedule | Due to the upcoming holiday, we’re taking a short hiatus and will return next week with important information about UVA Health.

Parking and Transportation Modifications | New Year’s Holiday | The University Transit service bus and Health System Transit shuttle service will not operate Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Team members may park in the South Garage on Crispell Drive and 11th Street Garage (level D and above only) beginning midnight Friday, Jan. 1, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3. The Medical Center Courtesy Shuttle will operate on the weekend schedule, running every 60 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. UtoCar will operate normally. Please note, University Transit bus and Health System Transit shuttle will operate normally on Thursday, Dec. 31, and close in-parking is not available.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

It’s Pull Cord Check Time | To help the Medical Center prepare for its triennial Joint Commission survey, which can happen anytime between now and early March 2021, please ensure that all pull cords in patient bathrooms are hanging freely and not touching the floor. Keep cords from being tied or wrapped around grab bars or toilet paper dispensers. Bottom line: Don’t let cords be stored in any way that would prevent a patient from quickly and easily pulling one to request assistance. 

Take the Pull Cord Quiz | Answer this survey readiness quiz to be randomly selected to win a prize!

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Team Member COVID-19 Testing | Holiday Schedule | All COVID-19 testing of UVA Health team members (patient-facing and non-patient-facing) will continue in the Education Resource Center with a few schedule adjustments during the upcoming holiday weeks:

• Testing Hours:
  • Dec. 30: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Closed Dec. 31-Jan.1, 2021

• Appointments Required:
  • Call 434.243.9534 to schedule an appointment.
  • If there is no answer, please leave a message. 
  • Calls will be returned within two hours, volume permitting.

APPRECIATION

Challenges Met with Deep Compassion: A Night in the Special Pathogens Unit | Allison Kirkner, NP, recently worked a shift in the Special Pathogens Unit (SPU) and was thankful to have her UVA Health colleagues by her side through the difficult moments. She wrote the following message to thank the team for their extraordinary teamwork and patient care. We echo Allison’s appreciation and offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone caring for our COVID patients in the SPU and across the organization!

“[It] was the most challenging and most difficult night of my career. We literally ran from room to room and from emergency to emergency and unfortunately had to make some really difficult calls and have heartbreaking conversations with patients and families. I cannot express to you all how impressed and grateful I was for the nursing, respiratory therapy, and certified nursing assistant staff that were on that night . . . I saw so much compassion and caring that would be easy to have lost nine months into a pandemic. It is difficult to say anything that hasn’t been said about front-line staff at this point, but I was so proud to be working alongside everyone and would be grateful if any one of them were caring for me or my family.”

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Monday, Dec. 28, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:20 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
Confirmed with COVID-19: 54

• Acute SPU (5S): 23
• ICU SPU (4S): 16
• 3S: 13
• 7C: 1
• 8N (ONC): 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 18

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 184
Confirmed with COVID-19: 661

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:54 a.m.

COVID VACCINE PROGRAM
COVID Vax Snapshot | As of Dec. 27, 2020

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:35 p.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 56
  • Acute SPU (5S): 24
  • ICU SPU (4S): 18
  • 8N: 1
  • PICU 7N: 3
  • 3S: 9
  • 8C (OB): 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 15

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 182
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 632

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:59 a.m.

COVID VACCINE PROGRAM

Vaccine Program Expands to All Team Members | In an announcement yesterday, all team members were invited to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. The announcement marked the rapid expansion of the vaccination program, which began administering Pfizer vaccine to Group 1 (those at highest risk of work-related exposure to COVID-19) last week. All remaining team members have been prioritized into two groups:

• Group 2:  Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Department of Health, we are defining Group 2 as all team members who have in-person contact with patients, work inside patients’ rooms or handle infectious materials. Vaccination of this group will start on Dec. 29.
• Group 3: Team members in non-patient facing roles. Vaccination of this group will begin Feb. 1, 2021.

Anyone interested in receiving the vaccine can launch the scheduling process here.

Virtual Q&A Session | Noon-1 p.m. | Tuesday, Dec. 29 | Open to all team members, this session will address questions and concerns. Access the webcast, which will be active on Dec. 29. 

Vaccination Program Summary | Below is an overview of the vaccinations administered and scheduled for each group of team members as of Dec. 22:

• Group 1: 2,317 appointments made; 1,594 vaccinations administered
• Group 2: 1,376 appointments made (vaccinations to begin Dec. 29)
• Group 3: 295 appointments made (vaccinations to begin Feb. 1)

OPERATIONS

COVID Staffing Communication Center Launching | As expected this holiday season, UVA Health is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 positive cases requiring an inpatient admission. In response to increasing COVID-19 volumes and the opening of an additional unit (3 South), we are launching the COVID-19 Staffing Communication Center (CSCC). The CSCC will collaborate with managers and leaders to expand the pool of team members able and available to support critical inpatient operations. At this time, we are requesting volunteers for paid assignments. See compensation details here. This situation is dynamic, and HRP 510 Modified Medical Center Operations provides guidance to support our patients and colleagues as needs evolve. FAQs and additional resources are posted on the Coronavirus Resources page beginning Dec. 24. Please talk with your manager, if you have any questions about opportunities to support inpatient staffing needs.

PATIENT CARE

Admission Testing Update – All Patients Will Be Tested for COVID-19 at Admission | All patients will now receive COVID-19 admission testing, unless they have had a positive infection within the last 90 days. Previously, patients who tested negative in the seven days prior to admission were excluded from this testing standard; however, the seven-day negative test exception has now been removed. All other exception inquiries should be routed to Infection Prevention and Control (PIC# 1883) for a determination. Admission Testing Guiding Principles and other workflow documentation have been updated and are available on the COVID-19 Resources page.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Report Critical Lab Values Promptly| Critical lab values and diagnostic findings have potential life threatening significance to the patient. These values should be reported promptly to the responsible LIP to ensure patient safety. For more specifics based on critical values or reporting pathways, refer to MCP 0125: Reporting of Critical Values and Findings and Critical Values and Timeframes for Reporting Guidelines.

• Test your knowledge of critical lab values by taking this quiz.

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY

Community COVID-19 Testing | Outreach efforts will continue during the holidays, with free testing available as indicated below:

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Team Member COVID-19 Testing | Holiday Schedule | All COVID-19 testing of UVA Health team members (patient-facing and non-patient-facing) will continue in the Education Resource Center with a few schedule adjustments during the upcoming holiday weeks:

• Testing Hours:
  • Dec. 23 and Dec. 28-30: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 30-Jan.1, 2021

• Appointments Required:
  • Call 434.243.9534 to schedule an appointment.
  • If there is no answer, please leave a message. 
  • Calls will be returned within two hours, volume permitting.
    

‘TIS THE SEASON

Modified UVA Health Update Schedule | Due to the holiday, this will be our final issue this week. We’ll be back with important information about UVA Health next week. Happy holidays!

Complimentary Christmas Day Meals | Friday, Dec. 25 | A complimentary meal will be offered to team members working on Christmas Day:

• University Hospital Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.; 11 p.m.-2 a.m. 
• Transitional Care Hospital | Meals will be dropped off for all three shifts in the second-floor breakroom at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Wahoo West Cafeteria Holiday Schedule |  Beginning Thursday, Dec. 24, Wahoo West will temporarily close during the holiday weeks; reopening Jan. 4 for normal operations.

Parking and Transportation Modifications | Christmas Holiday | The University Transit service bus and Health System Transit shuttle service will not operate Friday, Dec. 25. Team members may park in the South Garage on Crispell Drive and 11th Street Garage (level D and above only) beginning midnight Friday, Dec. 25, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27. The Medical Center Courtesy Shuttle will operate on the weekend schedule, running every 60 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. UtoCar will operate normally. Please note, University Transit bus and Health System Transit shuttle will operate normally on Thursday, Dec. 24, and close in-parking is not available. The return trip to the Stadium between 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be combined via the Blueline.

Looking for a Last Minute Present? | Hospital Gift Shop Sale | Our health care heroes who present their work ID will receive 25% off all Christmas décor/items between now and Thursday, Dec. 24. The Gift Shop is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

APPRECIATION

Answering the Call | Thank you to the 313 pharmacists, nurses, and doctors who have volunteered to administer COVID-19 vaccines to their peers. The enthusiastic response to the call for vaccinators has allowed UVA Health to vaccinate over 1,500 team members so far. With thousands more vaccines scheduled in the coming days and weeks, more volunteers are needed. To learn more about the benefits of volunteering (including pay and vaccine priority) and to sign up to be a vaccinator, visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Program website. Read more on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Dec. 21, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 3:42 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
Confirmed with COVID-19: 54

• Acute SPU (5S): 23
• ICU SPU (4S): 28
• 3E: 1
• 7C: 1
• 8C (OB): 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 17

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 174
Confirmed with COVID-19: 616

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:25 a.m.

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PRE-OPERATIVE TESTING

Alternate Testing Resources Available for Asymptomatic Testing of Patients | Patients unable to perform the self-collect nasal swab test who are not candidates for referral to the Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Center (ACTC) at the Education Resource Center (ERC) can be referred to alternate testing resources:

• Patients 13 and under should be referred to pediatric testing in the Battle Building. 
• Patients unable to self-collect can be referred to the COVID-19 Clinic.
• Patients who require an alternate testing method, such as testing by oral swab, may need to obtain testing with their primary care provider or the COVID-19 Clinic.

Please ensure you confirm with a clinician the patient’s inability to perform the self-collect before referring. 

Epic Tip Sheet Describes Scheduling Process for Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Center | For patient cases scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 23 and beyond, surgical clinics are responsible for arranging pre-procedural testing. See Pre-Procedural COVID Testing for details.

New Pre-Procedural Testing Resource Available | Pre-Procedural COVID-19 Testing Workflow

Questions | Please direct questions to COVID19Questions@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

VISITATION

Updated Pediatric Outpatient Visitation Policy | Starts Monday, Dec. 21 | To reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and protect, to the greatest extent possible, our patients, team members, and the community during the COVID-19 outbreak, routine patient visitation is restricted to designated visitors. The changes going into effect on Dec. 21 are intended to balance preventing the spread of COVID-19 with the needs of our patients and their loved ones and will align the visitation policies for pediatric inpatients and pediatric outpatient procedures.

Pediatric Visitor Waiting Areas 

• Designated visitors – Can wait in the hospital lobby during an in-room procedure
• Non-designated visitors – Drivers can use the waiting area on Level D of the connector between Lee Street Garage and the ERC

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

Pfizer Vaccine Vials Hold More Doses Than Expected | According to a tweet from the Food & Drug Administration, “At this time, given the public health emergency, FDA is advising that it is acceptable to use every full dose obtainable (the sixth, or possibly even a seventh) from each vial, pending resolution of the issue.” We are putting those added doses to good use by vaccinating more team members sooner than originally planned.

Next Phase of Vaccination Rollout Begins Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 | Because our next vaccine allocations will be larger than anticipated, the COVID-19 vaccination program will be open in early January to all team members who work in patient-facing roles. This is a group of around 9,000 people, and their participation will mark a rapid expansion of our vaccination activities. More details will be coming soon.

COVID-19 Vaccinations Can Now Be Documented in Epic | In response to numerous inquiries, Epic has been updated to allow the entry of a patient’s COVID-19 vaccination record. Thank you for the quick work, Epic team!

Have You Been Vaccinated for COVID-19? | Share Your Story on the Vaccine Video Blog | Working in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health, Sharecare is collecting stores from those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are willing to share, upload a video of your story to WeTransfer, and email the link you generate to the Vaccine Video Blog at videovaccineblog2021@gmail.com. Sharecare will take it from there! The more we share our stories, the better we will be at building community trust in the vaccine.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Check It Out: Online Survey Preparation Handbook Now Available | An online Survey Preparation Handbook is now available in all patient care areas – inpatient, ambulatory (including Emergency Department), and procedural areas. This handbook can help answer questions that may be asked during the Joint Commission’s triennial survey. It will help prepare you to respond to questions, such as the following:

• How do you know how to properly operate, clean, or test a medical device?  (Hint:  See ‘Equipment Safety’) 
• What is universal protocol for procedures/surgeries?  
• What is the contact time for cleaning products used in your environment?  

For answers to these questions and more, make the handbook your go-to resource for survey preparation!

• Ready to Answer Surveyor’s Questions? Test your knowledge by taking this quiz. 

‘TIS THE SEASON

Complimentary Christmas Day Meals | Friday, Dec. 25 | A complimentary meal will be offered to team members working on Christmas Day:

• University Hospital Cafeteria | 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.; 11 p.m.-2 a.m. 

• Transitional Care Hospital | Meals will be dropped off for all three shifts in the second-floor breakroom at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Team Member COVID-19 Testing | Holiday Schedule | All COVID-19 testing of UVA Health team members (patient-facing and non-patient-facing) will continue in the Education Resource Center with a few schedule adjustments during the upcoming holiday weeks:

• Testing Hours:
  • Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-30: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 30-Jan.1, 2021

• Appointments Required:
  • Call 434.243.9534 to schedule an appointment.
  • If there is no answer, please leave a message. 
  • Calls will be returned within two hours, volume permitting.

APPRECIATION

Kudos to Cross-Team Collaboration | Multi-Disciplinary Group Raced the Clock and Succeeded | When asked to stand up a testing site for pre-operative patients in under a week, who can deliver? The exceptional collaborative teams at UVA Health. These teams knew this would be a heavy lift with opportunities to continuously improve the process to meet the needs of providers, healthcare teams, and patients. The primary goal: achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Thanks to real-time problem solving and constructive feedback from across the organization, 130 patients have been tested to prepare for their surgeries in just two days!

With leadership from Amy Mathers, MD, and Rob Teaster, RN, as well as project coordination from Dawn Spiller and Melissa Grossman, there are dozens and dozens of people to thank for their roles in making this new testing protocol possible (anyone missed in the list below is completely unintentional and indicative of the scope of this work):

Ambulatory Operations, Health Information and Technology, Epic Training Team, Clinical Laboratories, Asymptomatic Testing Team in ACTC, Interim Launch Scheduling and Ordering Teams, Pediatrics, Hospital Epidemiology, Internal Communications, Content Managers for the COVID-19 Resources Page, Periop/SAS/OPSC leaders, teams and pre-call RNs, Patient Experience, Patient Education, Surgical Care Coordinators, and many more…

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 9:44 a.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 2
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 38
  • Acute SPU (5S): 17
  • ICU SPU (4S): 19
  • 3 East: 1
  • PICU (7N): 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 15

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 164
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 597

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:15 a.m.

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

UVA Health Begins COVID-19 Vaccinations for Front-Line Staff | UVA Health began vaccinations on Tuesday, Dec. 15, for employees at highest risk of acquiring COVID-19 through a work-related exposure, as a group that included doctors, nurses, environmental services workers, and pharmacists received their first of two Pfizer vaccine doses. Read the full story and view photos on Connect.

When Will Other Team Members Be Vaccinated? | Based on current supply forecasts, we plan to begin offering vaccines to our 9,000 patient-facing team members during the month of January. All remaining team members will be eligible for vaccination shortly thereafter. Scheduling updates will be provided as planning progresses.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Ready to Boost Your Area’s Hand Hygiene Performance? | As we all know, hand hygiene is the most important intervention to reduce the risk of illness transmission. It’s so important that each area’s hand hygiene performance is tracked on the UVA Health Dashboard. If you want to boost your area’s performance, make it a habit to do these two things:

1. Stop for a Drop – Use hand sanitizer every time you enter and exit a patient room or bed space.
2. Go Old-School – Use soap and water when there is a Green Handwashing sign outside the room or when your hands are visibly soiled. Otherwise use alcohol-based hand rub. 

Got Good Hand Hygiene Habits?  Test your knowledge by taking this brief quiz. 

CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY

Read a New Community-Focused Newsletter from the EVP | K. Craig Kent, MD, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, recently launched UVA Health Community Update, a monthly email to our friends and neighbors in the local area. Read the inaugural issue, which focuses on current COVID-19 cases and vaccine distribution plans. Subscribe to receive future issues.

‘TIS THE SEASON

Hospital Gift Shop Sale | Our healthcare heroes who present their work ID will receive 25% off all Christmas décor/items between now and Thursday, Dec. 24. The Gift Shop is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

FEAP Offers Self-Care Support | During this season in which we are accustomed to giving to others, FEAP invites you to consider yourself in addition to your family, friends, and colleagues. FEAP is offering tools and resources to attend to your own needs. Explore offerings or schedule a 1:1 appointment.

APPRECIATION

Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful | When winter weather threatens, we owe a special thanks to our Emergency Management team for keeping our teams well informed about UVA Health operations, schedules, travel and parking impacts, and team member reporting. Behind the scenes, this team is coordinating the many logistics that ensure safe operations during any number of weather situations. View the UVA Health Status Board to stay informed about operations during weather-related events.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Dec. 14, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 11:57 a.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 47
  • Acute SPU (5S): 24
  • ICU SPU (4S): 18
  • PICU (7N): 2
  • 3 East: 1
  • 4 West: 1
  • 7 Central: 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 18

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 152
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 584

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:57 a.m.

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

Vaccinations Set to Begin on Tuesday, Dec. 15 | UVA Health will receive its first shipment of Pfizer vaccine mid-day on Tuesday and will begin administering first dose shots to team members within hours. The first group of team members who are eligible to receive the vaccine are those whose work places them at highest risk of exposure to COVID-19, including physicians, nurses, medical techs, Environment of Care personnel, and others who work regularly in the Emergency Department and units that care for patients with COVID-19.

Learn More | Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination Program webpage.

GETTING AROUND

Let it Snow! | Where to Get Inclement Weather Information | Keep up to date on the latest weather information by reading this article on Connect. This information will be available on the KnowledgeLink newsfeed through Wednesday, Dec. 16.

South Garage Maintenance | Monday, Dec. 14, to Spring 2021 | Sections of the South Garage will undergo routine maintenance, and permit holders will notice parking areas blocked off on Levels C and D (top deck) in order to safely perform the repair work. Ample parking within the garage will remain available throughout the project.

OPERATIONS

News from the Food and Nutrition Department | New ordering app debuts this week and customer survey seeks assessment of Wahoo West cafeteria services.

• Online, Mobile Ordering Service | Goes Live Wednesday, Dec. 15 | The InstaEat mobile app or desktop ordering service will replace the Nourish app for pre-order or delivery from the University Hospital Cafeteria (east café). This new service offers more capabilities than the Nourish app and allows order tracking, special instructions, and more menu items. Browse menus, and set up an account. First-time orders will automatically receive $5 off.   
• Wahoo West Café Survey | Please take the time to provide feedback about the services offered by Wahoo West by taking this brief survey.

More Options for Meal-Break Safety | To help Medical Center patient care teams practice social distancing during their meal breaks, several locations have been reserved as midday dining and break areas:

• Currently available
  • Two North Tower classrooms — 4614 and 5614
• Beginning, Wednesday, Dec. 16
  • Dining Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3
  • 8 West Visitor Lounge
• Details: Each location will be open for dining Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Jan. 29, 2021.
• Social Distancing: Each room will have a nine-person capacity, and team members will be asked to sign in upon entry. 
• Other Safety Precautions: Disinfectant wipes and hand gel will be provided in each room, and team members are asked to use good hand- and surface-cleaning practices in these spaces.

Significant Changes Coming | Outpatient Evaluation & Management (E&M) Coding Changes | Effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 | Significant changes are being made to coding for medical decision making (MDM) and time. The following resources are available to help providers and coders prepare:

• Virtual Office Hour Sessions | Mondays 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Thursdays Noon-1 p.m. | Ends Jan. 30, 2021 | Conducted by the Audit and Billing Quality team, these sessions address questions, discuss specific examples, and review frequently asked questions. Calendar invitations will be sent out soon.
• CBLs for Providers and Coders | Available in Workday
• Project Email Address: 2021e&mchanges@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu

PATIENT CARE

UVA COVID-19 Clinic Offering Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Therapy | Starts Today, Monday, Dec. 14 | UVA Health is offering a new ambulatory treatment option in the fight against COVID-19: Monoclonal Antibody Infusions (mAb). This investigational therapy is available under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization and may be considered for carefully selected patients who have mild to moderate symptoms and are at very high risk of disease progression or hospitalization. This therapy should not be considered the standard of care for any patient population. 

Because demand for mAb is expected to exceed supply, we have taken several steps to ensure equitable patient access based on clinical factors:

• Creating referral pathways for patients diagnosed by UVA but who may not have care established with a UVA primary care provider
• Identifying assistance for costs associated with administration of the treatment (there is no charge for the drug itself)
• Designing a scheduling system prioritizing clinical need

UVA providers should review the Monoclonal Antibody Infusion FAQ in detail to better understand the select patient population this investigational drug may help and how to seek approval for patient referral.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Suicide Prevention Assessment | Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Assessing risk for suicide is one of the primary methods to keep high-risk patients safe while receiving care. Patients in the Emergency Department or on an inpatient unit must be assessed for suicide risk upon admission. Patients determined to be at risk for suicide must be placed on suicide precautions which include one-on-one observation by trained staff and removing potentially hazardous items from the environment.  

• Test your suicide prevention knowledge by taking this brief quiz. 

‘TIS THE SEASON

Hope for the Holidays Concert | Musicians On Call | Available On-Demand Through Jan. 6, 2021 | This one-of-a-kind concert features holiday messages from Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, Billie Eilish, and more with uplifting performances by Leslie Odom Jr., Meghan Trainor, Josh Groban, HAIM and Pentatonix, just to name a few. Presented by Citi and offered to American Hospital Association members, this concert was recorded especially for patients and hospital employees. Find access details and more information on Connect. 

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Coffee With Colleagues | You are invited to take a brief break with Wendy Horton, CEO of the Medical Center. 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. Coffee With Colleagues will be scheduled once a month, and participation is limited. Register.

NEW HOOS Health Check Process for Remote Workers | In order to protect the health and safety of our patients, visitors, and teams, UVA Health ensures each team member is responsible for completing a wellness attestation through HOOS Health Check. Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 15, UVA Health team members must also check in via HOOS Health Check on days they are working remotely. To help clarify:

• When working, no matter the location, all team members will complete the HOOS Health Check.
• If reporting to work at a UVA Health building/facility, answer the question about symptoms.
• If working remotely, simply select the “I am working remotely today” button.
• When working remotely, team members will not answer the symptom questions.

More details about HOOS Health Check and how to download the app are available on the Return to Grounds website.

Reminder: Saliva Testing Pilot for Asymptomatic Team Members | As part of UVA’s ongoing effort to provide a safe work environment, asymptomatic UVA Health team members are invited to participate in a voluntary COVID-19 saliva test pilot program. If you would like to be tested, see details below (no scheduling necessary):

Important Testing Instructions/Details

• Do not eat, drink (including water), brush your teeth, use mouthwash, chew gum or use tobacco for at least 30 minutes before submitting your saliva sample at the test location.
• Bring your UVA Health ID badge to be scanned and provide your UVA email address (computing ID).
• Please wear a face covering and practice social distancing when lining up for testing.
• Please note: Giving a saliva sample is much easier when you are well hydrated. Just refrain from drinking anything 30-minutes prior to the testing.
• Results will be posted in the team member’s MyChart account 48-72 hours after the test. Any positive results will be communicated to the team member by a healthcare provider.
• More information about this pilot is available at besafe.virginia.edu. Questions? Email prevalence-test@virginia.edu.

APPRECIATION

It’s Safe Toys and Gifts Month | Gifts and appreciation go hand in glove, so should gifts and safety. Before purchasing a gift or toy for a child, please make sure you are making a safe choice. For example, ensure the gift you give will not endanger a child’s eyesight by checking out this website. The site also offers tips for choosing age-appropriate and safe toys. Thank you for taking a safe approach to holiday gift-giving! And don’t forget about theUVA Children’s 2020 Toy Drive:

• In-Person Donations: To arrange a drop-off, please contact the Child Life Department at 434.409.1707 
• Mailed Gifts: Please send to UVA Children’s, Attn: Child Life, Rm 7809, 1215 Lee St., Charlottesville, VA, 22903

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 12:45 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19:  1
Confirmed with COVID-19:  49

• Acute SPU (5S):  24
• ICU SPU (4S):  17
• PICU (7N):  1
• 3 East:  1
• 4 West:  1
• 7 Central:  3
• Labor & Delivery:  2

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator:  15

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19:  145
Confirmed with COVID-19:  583

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:39 a.m.

OPERATIONS

Added Options for Meal Break Safety | To help Medical Center patient care teams practice social distancing during their meal breaks, two North Tower classrooms — 4614 and 5614 — are being piloted as added midday dining locations.

• Pilot Details: Rooms 4614 and 5614 will be open for dining Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Jan. 29, 2021.
• Social Distancing: Each room will have a nine-person capacity, and team members will be asked to sign in upon entry. 
• Other Safety Precautions: Disinfectant wipes and hand gel will be provided in each room, and team members are asked to use good hand- and surface-cleaning practices in these spaces.

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

Recording Link: Q&A Session for Vaccination Group 1 | More than 3,000 team members attended the Tuesday, Dec. 8, virtual Q&A session for the first vaccine-eligible group. Costi Sifri, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist, and Thomas Saul, Service Line Administrator, hosted the question-packed discussion. Watch the recorded session.

PATIENT CARE

Update on Aerosol-Generating Procedures | A new standard operating procedure outlining recent updates, clarification, and changes to aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), prioritization of airborne-infection isolation rooms (AIIR), and personal protective equipment (PPE) is available on the COVID-19 Resources Page. This document reflects better understanding of disease transmission as well as identified opportunities for improvement following team member exposures. All team members should familiarize themselves with these important changes.

A new sign is also available to identify:

• When an aerosol-generating procedure is underway
• Protocols for PPE and room use during and after AGPs

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Yummy Protocol | Do You Know How to Handle Food Brought in for Patients? | Whenpatient food is brought onto inpatient units and needs to be stored/refrigerated, it should be dropped off directly at the nurses’ station. Before being placed in the Nourishment Room, a patient label and an expiration date two days from the current date should be affixed to the food or container. Food that has gone into a patient’s room cannot be stored or refrigerated in the Nourishment Room. For further information, please refer to the Nourishment Room signs on each inpatient unit.

• Are You Patient Food Proficient? Test your knowledge by taking this quick Survey Readiness Quiz and be entered to win a prize!

GETTING AROUND

NEW: Patient Parking Reserved for COVID Clinic | Patients referred to the COVID Clinic, now located on the first floor of West Complex, should park in the West Complex surface lot, which is located in front of the main entrance and faces Jefferson Park Avenue. Several spaces have been reserved for COVID Clinic patients at all times and are clearly marked with signage. Team members are asked to not park in these spaces, including weekends and after hours.

South Garage Maintenance | Monday, Dec. 14, to Spring 2021 | Sections of the South Garage will undergo routine maintenance, and permit holders will notice parking areas blocked off on Levels C and D (top deck) in order to safely perform the repair work. Ample parking within the garage will remain throughout the project.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Saliva Testing Pilot for Asymptomatic Team Members | Dec. 11, 14-17 | As part of UVA’s ongoing effort to provide a safe work environment, asymptomatic UVA Health team members are invited to participate in a voluntary COVID-19 saliva test pilot program. This polymerase chain reaction test was successfully used with our student population during the fall semester. Testing will be more broadly available to team members in 2021, but it will initially be rolled out for select dates in this pilot phase. If you would like to be tested, see details below (no scheduling necessary):

Dates: Dec. 11, 14-17

University Hospital Locations:

• 6-10 a.m. | Third floor | Education Classroom 3614
• 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sixth floor | Education Classroom 6614

Important Testing Instructions/Details

• Do not eat, drink (including water), brush your teeth, use mouthwash, chew gum or use tobacco for at least 30 minutes before submitting your saliva sample at the test location.
• Bring your UVA Health ID badge to be scanned and provide your UVA email address (computing ID).
• Please wear a face covering and practice social distancing when lining up for testing.
• Please note: Giving a saliva sample is much easier when you are well hydrated. Just refrain from drinking anything 30-minutes prior to the testing.
• Results will be posted in the team member’s MyChart account 48-72 hours after the test. Any positive results will be communicated to the team member by a healthcare provider.

More information about this pilot is available at besafe.virginia.edu. Questions? Emailprevalence-test@virginia.edu.

APPRECIATION

Who Do You Appreciate? | Hoos Building Bridges Award Nomination Deadline Extended | Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 26, 2021, for the Hoos Building Bridges Award. This award recognizes University staff, Classified staff, UPG staff, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrison Healthcare) who look beyond their job descriptions to create and foster collaborations across Grounds. Their efforts may include the following:

• Streamlining processes
• Addressing long-standing needs
• Supporting diversity and inclusion
• Partnering with colleagues across schools, units, and departments

Faculty and students are not eligible for this award. However, faculty, students, staff, and team members may nominate eligible candidates and/or an eligible team. Winners will receive a monetary award and framed certificate. Submit a nomination.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Dec. 7, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 3:26 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
Confirmed with COVID-19: 37

• Acute SPU (5S): 21
• ICU SPU (4S): 14
• PICU (7N): 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 13

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 136 
Confirmed with COVID-19: 562

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7 a.m.

OPERATIONS

Planned Outage: Medical Center Pneumatic Tube System | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sunday’s outage will occur while the pneumatic tube system is being upgraded. Signs will be posted at each pneumatic tube station to notify users about the planned outage, and courier services will be available while the system is down. Assigned couriers will support the Pharmacy, Blood Bank, and Emergency Department. Floating couriers will support University Hospital and the Cancer Center. To request a courier, call Resource Support (434.982.1600). Please indicate if the request is routine or stat. 

Authorized ID Card or Key Needed to Access Academic Buildings | Saturday, Dec. 12-Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 | Buildings around Grounds will be accessible only with an authorized identification card or key during the winter break. Current UVA ID cards have an embossed Rotunda and text printed beneath the magnetic stripe. Anyone who has an older card or one that does not work with contactless readers should get a replacement through the University ID Card Office. Contact your facilities coordinator for help with accessing interior doors with smart card readers and for arranging deliveries or other special needs.  

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

Missed the COVID-19 Vaccine Virtual Forum? Here’s the Link | On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Craig Kent, MD, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs; Wendy Horton, Medical Center CEO; and Costi Sifri, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist, hosted a virtual forum to discuss COVID-19 vaccines and the preparations for immunizing our workforce. Watch the recorded session on Connect (must be logged onto the UVA Health network to access).

Call for Volunteers to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines | RNs and pharmacists are needed to administer COVID-19 vaccines in a paid volunteer capacity. Volunteers will be offered the vaccine after completing three four-hour shifts (12 hours in total). Find more information on the Covid-Vax page. 

Help Prioritize COVID-19 Vaccination Groups | UVA Health will be offering the COVID-19 vaccine to team members in phases, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. In the first phase, the vaccine will be offered to team members who work in areas of highest risk, such as the Special Pathogens Unit and the Emergency Department. Planning for further prioritization will be based on responses to an online team member survey. Open to all team members, this voluntary and confidential survey closes on Dec. 18.      

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Do You Handle Medical Waste and Sharps? | Handling regulated medical waste (RMW) requires adherence to state requirements. Liquid RMW should be disposed of in a toilet or hopper and not in sinks used for handwashing. All other RMW should be placed in a red bag container or sharps container for disposal.

• Resources: Click on the Waste Stream icon on your desktop to access the ‘Where Does all that Garbage Go’ chart and check the Infection Control Manual to learn about handling blood and bodily fluids, medical sharps, and more.
• Are You Wise About Waste? Take this quick quiz to be entered to win a prize!

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Community 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 since the summer. Volunteers are needed to staff upcoming events as clinical testers, clinical assistants, greeters, traffic guides, and registration runners. Details (requirements for each role, dates, times, and locations) are posted on the SignUpGenius registration page. Send questions to Dawn Niles.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn | Last Session of the Semester | Monday, Dec. 7 | 7:50-8 a.m. | This week’s host will be Alicia López-Operé, Assistant Professor, General Faculty, Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. This event is free and open to the public. Registration required. The Virtual Meditation on the Lawn series will resume on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. 

APPRECIATION

Thank You, Our World Class Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Teams | “I really want to thank our infectious disease team and our group of epidemiologists. As has been said before, we have some of the best talent, not just in the country but in the world, here at UVA Health. This has given me the incredible confidence that I have had throughout COVID in UVA Health’s response. It’s really been an expertise that has guided us along and continues to guide us.” – Craig Kent, MD, Executive Vice President for Health Affair

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:49 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19:  0
Confirmed with COVID-19: 30

• Acute SPU (5S): 15
• ICU SPU (4S): 13
• PICU (7N): 1
• 8 Central-OB: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 14

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 132
Confirmed with COVID-19: 523

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7 a.m.

COMPLIANCE ALERT

Texting and Confidential Patient Information | At UVA Health, we’re responsible for taking the necessary steps to safeguard our patients’ protected health information (PHI) in compliance with HIPAA. Texting is increasingly being used by care teams to communicate information about their patients, and this has raised compliance concerns.

• Concern: SMS (Short Message Service) text messages are not encrypted and don’t meet the requirements for safeguarding PHI. This includes messages sent from any device – whether owned by you or UVA Health – and regardless of MobileIron encryption on the device.
  • Note: MobileIron only secures information on the device itself; messages transmitted via a cell provider’s network are no longer encrypted once they leave the device.

• Action: If you use SMS texting, please ensure that no PHI is transmitted as a part of any message. While we don’t currently have secure texting technology at UVA Health, we have several policies requiring approved encryption methods when transmitting PHI electronically. 

• Future Planning: Vocera has a secure texting platform that shows promise as a substitute for SMS text messaging in patient care settings. We plan to pilot its use soon. If this proves effective, we aim to provide this solution to all our care teams.

COVID VACCINE UPDATE

UVA Health Virtual Forum | Wednesday, Dec. 2 | Noon-12:45 p.m. | Please join EVP for Health Affairs Craig Kent, MD; Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton; and Hospital Epidemiologist Costi Sifri, MD, in a discussion of COVID-19 vaccines and preparations to immunize the UVA Health workforce. Join via this link. 

Note: The Virtual Forum will be recorded and a link will be provided after the event.

Express Your Opinion | All team members are invited to participate in a voluntary, confidential online survey to help assess COVID-19 vaccination interest and prioritize vaccine distribution across UVA Health. The survey is now open and will close on Friday, Dec. 18. Take survey. 

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Two Strategies for Removing Expired Supplies | Expired supplies, including implants, cannot be used for patient care because their efficacy or integrity may be impacted. Use these two key strategies to ensure expired supplies are removed from storage locations:

1. Routinely check supplies for manufacturers’ expiration dates found on packaging, and remove those that are nearing their expiration date.
2. Monitor and rotate supply inventories in primary and secondary storage locations to avoid supply excesses and to remove outdated supplies.

Got Supply Expiration Smarts? Test your knowledge by taking this brief quiz. 

VISITATION POLICY

Change: Adult Inpatients Can Have Only 1 Designated Visitor | Effective Tuesday, Dec. 1 | In response to growing COVID infection rates within our community and the increase in COVID spread within families, UVA Health is taking added precautions to ensure the safety of patients and team members. Beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 1, all adult inpatients will be allowed to have only one designated visitor throughout their admission. The visitor will be allowed to visit only once a day. Visitation hours are from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

OPERATIONS 

Updated PIN for Masking Personal Phone Numbers | Effective Tuesday, Dec. 1 | The PIN for phone number masking is now 146837. To ensure personal phone numbers are masked when making outgoing calls, team members should review the updated Masking Phone Numbers SOP which can be found in the Epic Learning Library. This process ensures that a UVA Health name and phone number displays when team members working remotely make outgoing calls. 

GETTING AROUND

Construction Near Lee Street Garage Will Impact Pedestrian Traffic | Monday, Nov. 30, to Friday, Jan. 15 | As part of an underground storage tank project, construction fencing has been installed on the north side of Lee Street between 11th Street and the entrance to the Lee Street garage. Pedestrians traveling toward the hospital will need to cross Lee Street at the intersection of 11th Street and Crispell Drive and use the sidewalk next to the hospital for access. Pedestrians traveling away from the hospital will be directed to cross at designated crosswalks and follow this same path in the opposite direction.  

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Last Day: Redeem Your Hoos Well Rewards | Deadline is Monday, Nov. 30 | Gift cards are available to retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, and more. Be sure to redeem your earned gift card dollars by Nov. 30; as of Dec. 1, they will be forfeited. Claim Your Rewards in the Hoos Well Portal.

Safety Guidelines: On-Site Holiday Decorations | Team members who want to express the spirit of the year-end holidays with decorations must observe the following safety guidelines: 

Work Area Decorations:

• Decorations hung in common areas must either be cleanable and cleaned after use or discarded after the holiday season. 
• All materials used for decorative purposes shall be labeled flame resistant, fire retardant, or non-combustible.
• Artificial trees are permissible; however, natural trees are prohibited.
• Lighted wax candles shall not be used.
• Decorations cannot be attached to any fire protection equipment, such as sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers. Decorations cannot be hung from the ceiling or attached to fire doors.
• Pine bark, pinecones, running cedar, holly, and other types of natural decorations are prohibited unless they have been treated with a fire retardant or flame resistant solution. You must be able to prove fire retardant or flame resistant materials are being used.
• Lights are allowed as long as they are UL listed and in good condition.

Patient Room Decorations: Must be patient specific and either discarded or taken by the patient upon discharge. 

Questions: Direct fire-safety questions concerning decorations to Clay Ottinger (982.6420) or Mark Breeden (924.9389); the phone number for infection control questions is 924.0260. Read more on Connect. 

APPRECIATION

Kudos to the Pediatric Team for Addressing Food Insecurity in Our Community | At a pediatric surgery conference last year, Jeffrey Gander, MD, was inspired by the question, “What are you going to do in your community?” A year and a half later, his response is moving from vision to reality by providing regular deliveries of fresh produce to pediatric patients and their families who are experiencing food insecurity.

Gander and his partners – the Local Food Hub’s Fresh Farmacy program, Amy Wrentmore, MD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics; and Tegan Medico, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist – have raised more than $8,000 so far, which will cover produce deliveries to 10-20 families for several months. To keep the program going, they have applied for a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and are also accepting donations through the UVA Health Fresh Food Program fundraising page.

“All of us are in a profession to help people and care for people – a healing profession,” Gander says. “We owe it to our patients as part of our care for them to make sure that they have nutritious food. That may be even more powerful than some of their medications. Think about this fresh, healthy food as a way to treat their diseases.” See photos and read the full story on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Nov. 23, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:05 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
Confirmed with COVID-19: 31

• Acute SPU (5S): 12
• ICU SPU (4S):16
• PICU (7N):1
• 5 East: 1
• NICU: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 119
Confirmed with COVID-19: 496

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:22 a.m.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Nov. 20, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:49 p.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 0
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 23
  • Acute SPU (5S): 9
  • ICU SPU (4S): 13
  • PICU (7N): 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 10

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 114
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 489

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:35 a.m.

THANKSGIVING WEEK NOTICES

UVA Health Update Holiday Schedule | In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, next week’s only UVA Health Update will be distributed on Monday, Nov. 23. The normal publication schedule will resume on Monday, Nov. 30.

Complimentary Thanksgiving Day Meals | Thursday, Nov. 26 | A complimentary meal will be offered to team members working on Thanksgiving Day:

• University Hospital Cafeteria – 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 6-8 p.m.; 11 p.m.-2 a.m. 
• Transitional Care Hospital: Meals will be dropped off for all three shifts in the second-floor break room at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Parking and Transportation Modifications | Thanksgiving Holiday | The University Transit Service bus and Health System Transit shuttle service will not operate Thursday, Nov. 26, or Friday, Nov. 27. Team members may park in the South Garage on Crispell Drive and 11th Street Garage (level D and above only) beginning midnight Thursday, Nov. 26, through 5 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. The Medical Center Courtesy Shuttle will operate on the weekend schedule, running every 60 minutes from 7:20 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. UtoCar will operate normally.

COVID VACCINE PROJECT

COVID-19 Vaccine Coming Soon | Will Be Offered First to Team Members in High-Risk Roles | An email was sent to all UVA Health team members announcing plans for administering COVID-19 vaccines to our workforce. Read announcement on Connect.

Recruiting RNs and Pharmacists to Immunize Team Members |In preparation for the arrival of our first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, RNs and Pharmacists are being recruited to serve as paid vaccinators in our soon-to-open COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center. Vaccinators are asked to volunteer for at least 12 hours (three 4-hour shifts) outside of their normal work hours. After working 12 hours, vaccinators will be eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. Sign up on VaxTrax.

Express Your Opinion | All team members are invited to participate in a voluntary, confidential online survey to help assess COVID-19 vaccination interest and prioritize vaccine distribution across UVA Health. The survey is now open and will close on Friday, Dec. 18. Take survey.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Check For Out-of-Date Equipment Stickers | Medical equipment used in patient care must be determined to be safe for use by Clinical Engineering. Once a piece of equipment has been determined to be safe for use, a sticker is placed on the item. Some pieces of equipment are required to be checked only once and some require annual checks. Equipment with annual check requirements should have a colored sticker in place. Those stickers read like a vehicle inspection sticker. If you find a piece of equipment without a sticker or an out of date sticker, remove the item from patient care, place a maintenance tag on the equipment, and contact Clinical Engineering at 434.924.2391.

• Got Sticker Smarts? | Test your medical equipment safety knowledge by taking this brief quiz.

PATIENT CARE

Please Preserve Safety Needles | In response to an impending shortage of safety needles, front-line teams are being asked to do the following:

• Conserve current supplies by only using needles for injections      
• Use blunt needles to draw medications from vials
• Be poised for potential just-in-time training on using alternative devices
• Treat all needles as hot needles

More details will be forthcoming as allocations and orders are received.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Changes to Team Member COVID-19 Testing | All COVID-19 testing of UVA Health team members (patient facing and non-patient facing) is now being performed in the Education Resource Center. Testing at the Student Activities Building has been temporarily suspended.

• Testing Hours:
  • Week of Nov. 23: 7a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday 
  • After Thanksgiving – 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday

• Appointments Required:
  • Call 434.243.9534 to schedule an appointment.
  • If there is no answer, please leave a message. 
  • Calls will be returned within two hours, volume permitting.

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn | Monday, Nov. 23 | 7:50-8 a.m. | Before the start of the Thanksgiving holiday, all team members are invited to participate in a moment of gratitude for the UVA community’s resilience during this challenging semester. Event is free and open to the public. Registration required.

• Special Introduction: UVA President Jim Ryan
• Meditation Facilitator: UVA alumnus Owsley Brown III, who serves on the boards of the UVA Contemplative Sciences Center, Mind and Life Institute, Sustainable Food Alliance, Center for Interfaith Relations, Roxie Theater, and the Tsoknyi Humanitarian Fund

Coping with COVID Survey | Deadline: Monday, Nov. 23 | The UVA Health Wisdom and Well-being Leadership Team encourages all team members – clinical and non-clinical – to add their voice to this conversation by taking this brief, confidential survey. Your responses will provide insights to the sources and levels of stress and burnout across UVA Health and help develop targeted action plans. Please complete the survey now.

APPRECIATION

What a Remarkable Job, Asymptomatic Inpatient Testing Team! | In its first four days, our new asymptomatic inpatient testing program ramped up in an amazing way: 471 inpatients were tested, and five were identified as COVID positive. The project marks the latest milestone in our ongoing and expanding efforts to keep teams and patients safe as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates.

Transplant Administrator Rob Teaster, who led the launch, credits the project’s success to the collaboration of many groups, including the Emergency Department, Lab, Nursing, Nursing Administration, Supply Chain, Hospital Epidemiology, Infection Prevention and Control, Epic and Informatics. He also offers special thanks to Amy Mathers, MD, for her constant diligence and subject matter expertise, to Melissa Grossman and Dawn Spiller for their amazing project management skills, and to Loghan Kuehne for always ensuring there were always enough testing kits available and delivered.

Testing Efforts Still Expanding: As Teaster notes, “We are now moving onto Phase II-Expansion of Pre-Procedural Testing . . . please be patient as it IS coming.”

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:48 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 92
Confirmed with COVID-19: 19

• Acute SPU (5S): 6
• ICU SPU (4S): 12
• PICU (7N): 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 11

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 119 
Confirmed with COVID-19: 485 

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:02 a.m.

COPING WITH COVID SURVEY

New Response Deadline: Monday, Nov. 23 | The UVA Health Wisdom and Well-being Leadership Team has extended the deadline for completing the Coping With COVID-19 for Caregivers Survey and encourages all team members – clinical and non-clinical – to add their voice to this conversation by taking this brief, confidential survey.

• Why Your Responses Matter | Your responses will provide insights to the sources and levels of stress and burnout across UVA Health. A cross-entity working group that includes frontline team members will analyze survey data. The group will share both high-level results and targeted action plans within weeks after the survey closes. Please complete the survey now.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Keep Linens Covered! | Joint Commission surveyors want to be sure that the Medical Center is maintaining a clean patient-care environment. To keep linens from being contaminated by dust and debris, remember to lower the linen cart curtain after each use. Please keep linen supply carts covered at all times.

• Can You Pass the Linen Test? Find out by taking this quick survey readiness quiz to be entered to win a prize!

PATIENT CARE

Update COVID-19 Admission Testing | Today, UVA Health began COVID-19 testing for all patients admitted to the Medical Center. Tomorrow, testing begins for any current inpatient who has not already been tested following the schedule below:

The resources below have been developed to guide you through the testing process and communication with your patients:

• Asymptomatic COVID Admission Testing FAQs
• Children’s Hospital FAQs for COVID Inpatient Testing
• Patients FAQs for COVID Testing
• UVA COVID Admission Testing Guiding Principles
• COVID Testing: No Clinical Suspicion
• Epic Tools for Universal Admission Testing for COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients
• Lab testing Guidance for COVID
• Collection and Transport of COVID Specimens for Viral Testing SOP

Reminder: COVID Clinic Has Moved to West Complex | The COVID Clinic and COVID Cohort Phlebotomy Lab are now located in the former Breast Care Center space at 1300 Jefferson Park Ave., Room 1101. COVID Clinic hours, referral processes, and contact information will remain the same. Only the physical location changed. Read more on Connect.

• Safety Note | Masking requirements, enhanced cleaning procedures, and prominent wayfinding signs are in place. In addition, front door greeters are available to help patients find the clinic entrance, which is conveniently located just inside the main doors and does not require use of hallways or elevators.

VISITATION

Visitor Guidance Updates | The COVID-19 Resource page has been updated with a number of guidance documents. Please familiarize yourself with the guidance that applies to your area.

• Visitor Restrictions Policy and Team Member Guidance | These documents have been updated with the following additions and clarifications:
  • Outpatient Surgery at Battle Building – Only one designated visitor.
  • Disabled patients can have one designated visitor with them 24/7. This includes the Transitional Care Hospital (TCH).
  • Visitor Restrictions Policy will be posted on uvahealth.com for patients to access. 

• Mask Refusal by Clinic Patients: Team Member Guidance | The requirements and process have been clarified for dealing with patients who refuse to wear a mask. 
• Mask Refusal by Visitors: Team Member Guidance | Updates have been made to the requirements and process for handling situations in which a visitor refuses to wear a mask.   
• Guidance for Visitors Known to be COVID-19 Positive | New guidance has been developed and includes an escalation process.
• Designated Visitor Guidance for Visiting COVID-19 Positive Patient | New guidance has been developed for visiting COVID-19 positive disabled or pediatric patients.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

FEAP Virtual Program: Recovery Ally Training | Wednesday, Nov. 18 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | A Recovery Ally is an individual who supports those in recovery, advocates for recovering individuals, and educates themselves about the disease of addiction, societal stigma, and resources available. This Hoos Well rewards-eligible introductory-level Recovery Ally training is designed to begin to increase our community’s recovery capital on Grounds, decrease stigma, and grow intervention skills for staff members. Register for the Training.

Call for Entries: Self-Care Photo Contest | Ends Monday, Nov. 23 | Taking care of yourself is an important aspect of well-being. Hoos Well wants to see what you are doing to take care of yourself and maintain your health and happiness. Do you meditate, prepare healthy meals for your family, or practice socially distanced hiking with friends? Submit your photo for a chance to win one of 15 Fitbits. Email your photo to hooswell@virginia.edu or tag Hoos Well on social media. See photo content details. 

APPRECIATION

Congratulations, Endoscopy Team, Our Three-Time Flame Award Winners | For the third consecutive time, UVA Endoscopy has earned the Flame Award for Unit Excellence from the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA). Well worth noting is that in 2020, UVA Health is the only U.S. hospital to receive the award.

To win the Flame Award, the Endoscopy team, which includes the inpatient Endoscopy Unit and outpatient interventional Endoscopy Monroe Lane, demonstrated all the right stuff: a commitment to infection prevention, a supportive and educational work environment, positive patient outcomes, and the required percentage of nurses and technicians who completed SGNA educational programs. Thank you for all your hard work and excellent patient care, Endoscopy colleagues. We applaud your well-deserved recognition! Read more on Connect.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Nov. 13, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:47 p.m.

Current Census

Under investigation for COVID-19: 4
Confirmed with COVID-19: 22

• Acute SPU (5S): 11
• ICU SPU (4S): 9
• PICU (7N): 1
• STICU: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 10

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 103
Confirmed with COVID-19: 468

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 7:12 a.m.

A SPECIAL VETERANS DAY MESSAGE 

Today, we pause to honor and pay tribute to the service of all members of the military including many of our own team members who have sacrificed so much in the name of freedom, liberty and peace. We are humbled by your strength and courage, and we honor your selflessness and bravery. On this special day, Veterans Day, we reflect with gratitude, deep respect and thankfulness for your service.

SURVEY DEADLINE EXTENDED

Nov. 23 is New Deadline for Taking the Coping With COVID-19 for Caregivers Survey | To enable more team members to add their responses to the national COVID-Coping Assessment survey, the deadline has been extended to Monday, Nov. 23. The UVA Health Wisdom and Wellbeing leadership team will draw upon survey findings to plan future activities and is encouraging all team members to participate. Read more on Connect.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Preventing Mistakes in Surgery | One of the key ways we prevent mistakes in surgery is by following Universal Protocol. The term Universal Protocol applies to any surgical or invasive procedure that requires informed consent, exposes the patient to a risk of harm more than routine care, and involves the puncture/incision of the skin (excluding venipuncture) or insertion of a foreign material into the body, in accordance with MCP 0250: Universal Protocol for Preoperative/Pre-procedure Verification.

Universal Protocol Compliance is as Easy as 1-2-3

1. Verify that the correct surgery is being done on the correct patient and at the correct place on the patient’s body.
2. Mark the correct place on the patient’s body where the surgery is to be done.
3. Perform a “time out” before the surgery to make sure that a mistake is not being made.

Do You Have a Handle on Universal Protocol? Find out by completing a quick survey-readiness quiz.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Childcare Survey and New Tools for UVA Parents and Guardians |  The UVA Dual Career Program (DCP) is inviting team members to complete a short survey about current childcare experiences and challenges. The DCP has also launched a Parent/Guardian Connection Tool to connect UVA parents and guardians with one another to facilitate community and the exchange of information and supportive resources.  

Call for Nominations: Hoos Building Bridges Award | Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30 | This award recognizes University staff, Classified staff, UPG team members, UVA Health team members, and Contingent Workers (UVA Foundation, Aramark, Morrison) who look beyond their job descriptions to create and foster collaborations across Grounds.  

Faculty and students are not eligible for this award. However, faculty, students, staff, and team members may nominate eligible candidates and/or an eligible team. Winners will receive a monetary award and framed certificate. Submit a nomination.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Deadline Alert: Submit Your Flu Shot Documentation by Friday, Nov. 13 | All team members must submit either their annual flu shot documentation or have received an approved exemption by Friday.

Options for submitting your flu shot documentation:

• Deliver to Employee Health in person to have it documented in VaxTrax. 
• If your department has someone logging flu shots directly into VaxTrax, provide your documentation to that person.

To request an exemption, take these steps:

• Log in to VaxTrax.
• Click on the “Exemption” button under “Options.”
• Follow the instructions found in the Exemptions area of VaxTrax.

CARING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Social Issues in Medicine Poster Session | Claude Moore Health Sciences Library Entrance | Ends Friday, Nov. 13 | Stop by and learn about the amazing work being done by our medical students and community partners as part of the School of Medicine’s Social Issues in Medicine (SIM) course. SIM participants complete projects at community health and human services agencies and schools. Last year, students worked more than 4,000 hours at 29 sites. SIM project posters reflect the service-learning of the current second-year students. Read more on Connect.

APPRECIATION

It’s a Special Week for Several of Our Patient Care Teams | Our radiation therapy professionals, medical imaging professionals, ophthalmology techs, and perioperative nurses are each celebrating their annual weeks of observance, recognition and celebration. These groups make vital contributions to patient care here at UVA Health. Their skill and professionalism enable us to provide needed patient care safely and efficiently. Their interactions with patients help build confidence and trust in the quality of care we offer. We salute these teams and thank them for the unique role they play. Please take time this week to offer a special thanks to the radiation therapy professionals, medical imaging professionals, ophthalmology techs, and perioperative nurses for their dedication and expert care. 

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Nov. 9, 2020

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

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 7
Confirmed with COVID-19: 22

• Acute SPU (5S): 12
• ICU SPU (4S): 8
• PICU: 1
• 8 Central OB: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 6

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 102
Confirmed with COVID-19: 461

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:35 a.m.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

How Are You Coping During COVID-19? | All UVA Health team members are invited to participate in the AMA’s online national COVID-Coping Assessment survey. Open through Monday, Nov. 16, the survey has a standard set of questions and five UVA-specific questions. Read more on Connect, and submit your responses.

OPERATIONS

Latest Changes in Epic Will Go Live on Tuesday, Nov. 10 | Updates in Epic will impact Ambulatory and Inpatient LIPs, Nurses and Therapy Services. Learn more about new proxy request functionality in MyChart and more in this month’s Epic Update Bundle. If you need further assistance, please contact the Help Desk at 434.924.5334.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Mother Was Right – Good Hand Hygiene Is Important | As we prepare for the upcoming Joint Commission survey, team members are reminded that performing effective hand hygiene is the single most important measure you can take to reduce the risks of transmitting organisms between people and surfaces. 

• Practice the “5 Befores” – Hand hygiene is required before the following:
  • entering and upon exiting patient rooms
  • putting on or taking off gloves
  • performing patient care activities, such as handling medical devices or preparing or administering medications
  • specimen collection (and after, too)
  • moving from a dirty activity to a cleaner activity 

• More information:

• • Infection Control Manual
  • Your department’s hand-hygiene performance can be found on the UVA Health Data Portal

Take the Clean Hands Test | Complete this brief Survey Readiness Quiz and be entered to win a prize!

PATIENT CARE

Launch: PreCheck-In Pilot | Begins Monday, Nov. 9 | Part of Epic MyChart Patient Access Enhancement Program | Sixteen Epic departments in 12 clinics will begin a pilot to assess the use of PreCheck-In in MyChart. The feature allows patients to update personal and demographic information, e-sign certain documents, and update medications, allergies, and health issues within a single workflow. Patients will receive a push notification three days prior to their scheduled appointment and can update their information until the time of their appointment. For participating clinics, the following workflows are available: Access Team Members, Clinical Team Members. Send questions to RPFA@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu.

Moving: COVID Clinic | Saturday, Nov. 14 | The COVID Clinic and COVID Cohort Phlebotomy Lab are relocating to the first floor of the West Complex. The clinic will be in the former Breast Care Center space at 1300 Jefferson Park Ave., Room 1101, Charlottesville, VA 22903. COVID Clinic hours, referral processes and contact information will remain the same. Only the physical location is changing. Learn more on Connect.

Reopening: Teen & Young Adult Health Center | Wednesday, Nov. 18 | The Teen & Young Adult Health Center, which had temporarily relocated to accommodate the COVID Clinic, will resume operations in its permanent location in the Battle Building. The outside entrance is located at 1204 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22903. 

Updated: COVID Positive Result SmartText | Starts Monday, Nov. 9 | Connects Patients to Follow-Up Care and Community Resources | Starting Monday, the COVIDRESULTCALL SmartPhrase will display an updated SmartText for calling back positive COVID results. The text has been updated to more holistically address patient needs and connect them to essential community resources. New SmartText scripting and information will help patients connect to additional resources, including guidance for establishing care with a provider and accessing community assistance for food, housing and financial needs.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Medical Center Hour | Wisdom & Well-Being: New Ways Forward for Healthcare Workforce Well-Being (Virtual Event) | Wednesday, Nov. 11 | Noon-1 p.m. | This is a profoundly challenging time to be a healthcare professional. But times of challenge can be times of positive change, times when wisdom can emerge. Co-presented with the School of Nursing’s Compassionate Care Initiative, this John F. Anderson Memorial Lecture will be presented by:

• Richard Westphal, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor of Nursing and Director, Alliance for Compassionate Care, School of Nursing, UVA
• Margaret Plews-Ogan, MD, MS, Brodie Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, UVA

Zoom link | Passcode: 439854

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Expanded Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing Available to Team Members | Starting today,testing for UVA Health faculty and Medical Center and UPG team members (patient-facing and non-patient-facing) will be available by appointment at two locations:

• Education Resource Center (ERC) | Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays | Testing on these days is exclusively for patient-facing team members. 
• Student Activities Building | Tuesdays and Thursdays | All UVA Health faculty and Medical Center and UPG team members (patient facing and non-patient facing) are eligible to receive testing on these days. Address: 800 Alderman Road. Parking is available.

Testing is limited to once every 14 days per person. Testing capacity cannot be guaranteed and is dependent upon an adequate supply chain and possible other factors such as demands for testing around outbreaks. Consider whether a test is needed before requesting one. To schedule an appointment, call 434.243.9534 for an appointment. Read announcement onConnect and in the updated Asymptomatic COVID Testing for Faculty and MC and UPG Employees document. 

Alert: Registration Closes Tomorrow for Last-Chance Flu Shot Clinic | UVA Health’s annual flu shot deadline is Friday, Nov. 13, and Employee Health, UVA-WorkMed, CVS, Aetna, and UVA HR are working together to offer team members a “last chance” on-site clinic.

• Registration: Closes on Saturday, Nov. 7. Register. 
• Clinic Date/Time: Monday, Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. 
• Clinic Location: Education Resource Center, Second Floor, Meeting Room A  
• Documentation: Participants will receive a paper record of their vaccination and a sticker for their badge. As participants exit, Employee Health and UVA-WorkMed representatives will document the vaccine in VaxTrac.

APPRECIATION

Honoring Our Continuum Home Health Colleagues | November is National Home Care and Hospice Month, making it the perfect time to salute our amazing team of experts who enable patients to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. Last year, the Continuum team cared for more than 6,400 home-infusion and home-health patients and supported our goals of reducing length of stay and ensuring the safe and effective progression of care. We thank our home-health team for playing a special role in our patients’ lives and in the work of our organization.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:58 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 1
Confirmed with COVID-19: 18

• Acute SPU (5S): 10
• ICU SPU (4S): 7
• PICU (7N): 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 6

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 107
Confirmed with COVID-19: 452

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:39 a.m.

ELECTION 2020

Preparing for Election Day | We encourage everyone who is registered to vote to cast their ballot using one of the options below. If you plan to vote in person during work hours, please make arrangements with your manager to ensure there is staffing coverage during your absence.

• Find Your Polling Place: Use the Virginia Department of Elections website to find out where you can vote.
• In-Person Voting Hours: 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be able to vote.
• Absentee Voting: You must have requested and received an absentee ballot to use this voting option. See information below.

SPECIAL INVITATION REMINDER

Please Take the Coping With COVID-19 for Caregivers Survey | The American Medical Association has invited UVA Health to participate in an online national COVID-Coping Assessment survey as part of the “Solutions to Increase Joy in Medicine” strategic initiative. All team members are encouraged to provide their responses through this link. Open until Monday, Nov. 16, the survey has a standard set of questions and five UVA-specific questions. Read the announcement message from UVA Health executive leaders on Connect.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Easy as 1-2-3: Oxygen Tank Basics | As we prepare for the upcoming Joint Commission survey, do these three things to make sure oxygen tanks are stored appropriately: 

• Separate: Store ready to use and empty oxygen tanks separately – this makes it easy to locate usable tanks in emergencies. Tanks with more than (>) 1000 pounds per square inch (psi) of oxygen are usable; others are considered empty.
• Secure Properly: Secure oxygen tanks in a cabinet, rack, or other holders to prevent them from falling. Do not leave tanks on floors or leaning in corners. 
• Ensure Fire Safety: Store tanks (empty or full) away from combustible items, like paper products and linens, and flammable items, like hand sanitizer refill bottles.

Do You Have Tank Smarts? | Find out by taking this 30-second survey and be entered to win a prize!

PATIENT CARE

COVID-19 Access BPA Update Set for Tuesday, Nov. 3 | To align with CDC guidance, additional symptoms will cause the Access BPA to fire, potentially causing the BPA to display more frequently. Additional symptoms include new or worsening chills, fatigue, muscle pain, severe headache, and runny nose. There are no changes to procedures for screening or changes to the BPA guidance. The Coronavirus Access Screening document has been updated accordingly.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Get Ready: Fall PTO Cash-Out Process Starts This Week | PTO cash-out requests can be submitted Nov. 5–15. An email with Instructions will be sent on the morning of Nov. 5. To prepare, log in to Workday and review your “use or lose” paid-time-off (PTO) hours. You can use the job aid to check your leave. Please contact the HR Solution Center at askhr@virginia.edu with questions.

• The Medical Center 2020 PTO cut-off accrual date is Jan. 9, 2021.
• This year, Medical Center team members can carry over an additional 80 hours over the standard maximum due to the COVID relief policy.
• Medical Center Human Resources Policy No. 315 provides detailed information on the Medical Center PTO leave benefit.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

21 Ways in 21 Days to Rest and Restore | FEAP invites you to take care of yourself using a series of effective strategies to restore your own energy tank. Using our interactive calendar, you’ll have a choice of activities that will help and encourage you to tend to your own needs every day. It isn’t necessary to commit to a specific 21 days in succession; these activities are flexible and can be done as you choose. Activities are available through Nov. 30. Register. 

APPRECIATION

Saluting Our Ambassadors With Wheels | In observance of National Patient Transportation Week, we offer thanks to our very busy, very essential transporter team. Dedicated to safely moving patients and equipment from place to place, transporters keep the wheels of progress in motion for UVA Health. This week, take a moment to thank the transporters who serve your area. Applaud the impressive stats their team achieved last year:

• Total transport request completions = 235,045 
  • Transported 105,542 patients
  • Distributed 129,503 patient care equipment devices
• Average pending to completion times
  • Patient transports = 30 minutes
  • Equipment = 33.14 minutes
• Performance vs. benchmarks
  • Patient transports: 80% handled within 45 minutes (industry benchmark)
  • Equipment requests: 88% distributed within 60 minutes (UVA Health benchmark)

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Oct. 30, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:22 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 5
Confirmed with COVID-19: 21

• Acute SPU (5 South): 11
• ICU SPU (4 South): 8
• PICU (7 North): 1
• 8 Central OB: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 11

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 100
Confirmed with COVID-19: 441

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:37 a.m.

SPECIAL INVITATION

Please Take the Coping With COVID-19 for Caregivers Survey | The American Medical Association has invited UVA Health to participate in an online national COVID-Coping Assessment survey as part of the “Solutions to Increase Joy in Medicine” strategic initiative. All team members are encouraged to provide their responses through this link. Open until Monday, Nov. 16, the survey has a standard set of questions and five UVA-specific questions. Read the announcement message from UVA Health executive leaders on Connect. 

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Put a Label on It! | As we prepare for the Medical Center’s upcoming triennial Joint Commission survey, everyone is reminded to label Accu-Chek control solutions. QC bottles must be labeled with an open and expiration date. Use GREEN labels to write the open date (O) and count out 90 days to mark the expiration date (E) using the format MM/DD/YY. Do not obscure the barcode or lot information with the green sticker. When needed, labels can be ordered from the Storeroom (bin #92417).

Are You a Good Labeler? Test your knowledge by taking this quick Survey Readiness Quiz and be entered to win a prize! 

OPERATIONS

Compliance Update: New Training, More Patient Information Releasing to MyChart | The 21st Century Cures Act (“Info Blocking”) goes into effect on Monday, Nov. 2, and new elements, noted below, have been added to our compliance efforts. Visit the project website for more information.

• Training: Ambulatory updated training on the project website is available to support the resident note cosign process.
• More Inpatient Note Types: Additional note types will begin releasing to MyChart on Monday, Nov. 2: Inpatient Procedures, H&P (View-Only, Interval, Pre-procedure), and Consultation Notes.
  

PATIENT CARE

RNs to Join LIPs on Callback Team for Positive COVID-19 Test Results | On Monday, Nov. 2, a process change will enable RNs as well as LIPs to handle callbacks to clinic patients with positive COVID-19 test results. In addition to reducing callback volume for LIPs, this change is expected to expedite communication of this critical test result. When RNs make callbacks, LIPs will provide support, serve as an escalation pathway, and ensure timely communication of test results. LIPs will retain ultimate responsibility for informing patients about positive COVID-19 test results.

• Resources:
  • LIP Guidance – Communicating COVID-19 Lab Results to Patients
  • RNs Communicating COVID-19 Lab Results to Patients SOP
  • Additional Guidance for Communication COVID-19 Lab Results to Patients

Enroll Now: LGBTQ Patient-Centered Care Training | Free Continuing-Education Training/Credits | UVA Health is a proud participant in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Annual Healthcare Equality Index and offers over 60 different online, on-demand CME-accredited LGBTQ training options free to our team members. Visit the Human Rights Campaign and National LGBT Health Education Center to register. Create a user account using faculty ID 55856 and security code HRC. Email Bush Bell with questions.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Access Premium Content on Meditation App, Insight Timer | Team members now have free access to this award-winning smartphone app and web portal featuring a meditation timer and the world’s largest free repository of guided meditations, music tracks, yoga classes from leading instructors, and other recorded and live events for relieving stress, improving sleep, coping with challenges, and addressing many other facets of well-being and flourishing. Register and access the curated playlists and original content from the UVA Contemplative Science Center.

APPRECIATION

Kudos to School of Medicine Faculty | Congratulations to our faculty who are newly elected to endowed chairs and who received School of Medicine faculty awards. To see the complete list of the outstanding awardees, visit Connect. Thank you all for your excellence in teaching, research, and patient care!

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Oct. 26, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:01 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 2
Confirmed with COVID-19: 19

• Acute SPU (5 South): 8
• ICU SPU (4 South): 9
• PICU (7 North): 1
• 6 West: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 10

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 100
Confirmed with COVID-19: 430

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:33 a.m.

RECENT EXPOSURE EVENT

This weekend, UVA Health experienced a COVID exposure within Heart and Vascular due to the treatment of a very complex asymptomatic patient. The circumstances related to this event were extremely unique and were not due to a lack of PPE supplies, failure to adhere to universal masking or PPE protocols, or related to any team member reporting to work sick. As part of its contact tracing efforts, Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) is in the process of contacting any individual who may have been impacted.

We will be providing an update on this event in the coming days. This complex situation has also given us the opportunity to review our policies and procedures related to pre-procedural/pre-surgical testing. UVA Health leaders and providers are collaborating on the best protocol to ensure we are able to provide the safest care possible. Updates on related policies and protocols will be forthcoming.

GETTING AROUND

Magnet Replacement Project at Fontaine to Impact Parking | Saturday, Nov. 7, 6 a.m.-Sunday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m. | Crews will be using a crane to remove an old MRI and install a new MRI on the first floor of 415 Ray C. Hunt Drive. To allow for material to be delivered and staged in the work zone, the parking lot in front of the 415 building will be roped off on Saturday and reopen when work is complete and safety is restored in the area. 

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Emotional Support Services Available to Physicians, Nurses, and Other Healthcare Professionals | The Population Health team is offering short-term (1-6 sessions) using intervention protocols — such as Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) — that are specifically designed to address stress, negative thoughts, and negative feelings directly related to COVID-19. This support is offered in a safe and supportive environment that does not require a DSM diagnosis. To learn more, email Jody Sweeney, LCSW, or Arminda Perch, MBA, MSW.

APPRECIATION

Shout Out from the HIT Team | Thank you, colleagues, for another successful Epic upgrade! The HIT team appreciates your partnership, especially in the midst of these difficult times. If you haven’t done so already, check out the new time-saving Epic features that are now ready to use. As always, the Epic Help Desk is available to help or hear your suggestions. Call 434.924.5334, send an email, or click “2Epic” from within Epic.

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Oct. 23, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:05 p.m.

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 12:41 p.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 4
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 21
  • Acute SPU (5S): 11
  • ICU SPU (4S): 9
  • PICU (7N): 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 11

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 97
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 421

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:15 a.m.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Emergency Evacuations – Are You Ready to Play Your Role? | As we prepare for the Medical Center’s upcoming triennial Joint Commission survey, team members are reminded to review fire safety details in their area’s Red Book. If an evacuation is ordered, everyone must play their part and follow the direction of leadership and the incident commander. 

• Roles in Patient Care Areas:
  • Clinical Supervisor/Charge Nurse – Coordinates an evacuation once aware/notified of a need as directed by the incident commander
  • Licensed Independent Practitioners – Oversee the medical needs of patients
  • Registered Nurses/Patient Care Technicians – Gather life-saving equipment, move patients away from the hazard (as directed), and support patient care
  • Health Unit Coordinator – Supports the clinical supervisor/charge nurse and assists with record keeping and/or patient tracking

• Manager/Supervisor Roles in Non-Patient Care Areas:
  • Coordinates an evacuation once aware/notified of a need as directed by the incident commander
  • Confirms a list of the staff members present 

Fire! Fire! | Take this 30-second survey readiness quiz to test your fire safety knowledge and be entered to win a prize.

OPERATIONS

COVID-19 RN Screening Update Set for Monday, Oct. 26 | The COVID-19 RN Screening symptom list will be modified on Monday to align with new CDC guidance:

• Red eye and joint pain will be removed.
• Runny nose and congestion will be added.

The BPA has been updated to display accordingly. There are no changes to procedures for screening or changes to the BPA guidance.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Fall PTO Cash Out Is Coming Soon | You will be able to request PTO cash out Nov. 5–15. Cash-out process instructions will be sent via email on the morning of Nov. 5. To prepare, log in to Workday and review your “use or lose” paid time off (PTO) hours. You can use the job aid to check your leave. Please contact the HR Solution Center at askhr@virginia.edu with questions.

• The Medical Center 2020 PTO cut-off accrual date is Jan. 9, 2021.
• This year, Medical Center team members can carry over an additional 80 hours over the standard maximum due to the COVID relief policy.
• Medical Center Human Resources Policy No. 315 provides detailed information on the Medical Center PTO leave benefit.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY, WELL-BEING, AND CONNECTION

Flu Shots Now Available at UVA-WorkMed | 1910 Arlington Blvd., Charlottesville | By appointment only; no walk-ins. Call 434.243.0075 (press 1 for scheduling) for an appointment.

Last Chance Flu Shot Clinic | Education Resource Center, Second Floor, Meeting Room A | Monday, Nov. 9 | 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. | To support team members in getting their annual flu shot before the Nov. 13 deadline, Employee Health, UVA-WorkMed, CVS, Aetna, and UVA HR are working together to offer a “last chance” on-site clinic.

• Registration: Now open and will close on Saturday, Nov. 7. Register.
• Documentation: Participants will receive a paper record of their vaccination and a sticker for their badge. As participants exit, Employee Health and UVA-WorkMed representatives will document the vaccine in VaxTrax.

Virtual Meditation on the Lawn | Every Monday | 7:50-7:55 a.m. | Facilitators from all over Grounds are volunteering to help guide the community in cultivating mindfulness, compassion, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Anyone can drop in virtually for free. Register.   

New Participants Welcome: FEAP Program: 21 Ways in 21 Days to Rest and Restore | Started Monday, Oct. 19 | In a few brief minutes, this program will help and encourage you to attend to your own needs kindly every day. It isn’t necessary to commit to a specific 21 days in succession; these activities are flexible and can be done as you choose. Register.

Hoos Well Offers Mindful Leadership Program (Online) | Six Weekly Sessions | Starts Sunday, Oct. 25 | Mindfulness skills are critical to leading during a time when we are dealing with COVID-19, social unrest, and ongoing change and disruption. The Mindful Leadership Program is a weekly series of eight webinars led by an eMindful expert teacher that will take place Mondays, 4-4:45 p.m., between Oct. 26 and Dec. 14. The curriculum weaves in the leadership competencies for UVA’s Cornerstone Program and UVA Health’s ASPIRE values. Participation in all eight sessions is recommended but not required, as the sessions will build on each other. Learn more and register.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Medical Center Hour | The Long Fix: Solving America’s Health Care Crisis with Strategies that Work for Everyone (Virtual Event) | Wednesday, Oct. 28 | Noon-1 p.m. | Physician, scientist, and healthcare administrator Vivian Lee, MD, PhD, MBA, is the author of “The Long Fix” and President of Health Platforms at Verily Life Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts. She urges us to rethink and reinvent health care over the long term so we might keep all people healthy, improve the care they receive, and pay for healthcare results rather than actions. Zoom link. Passcode: 439854.

UVA HEALTH IN THE NEWS

UVA’s David S. Wilkes Elected to Prestigious National Academy of Medicine (UVA Health Newsroom and Connect) | David S. Wilkes, MD, dean of the UVA School of Medicine, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

APPRECIATION

Saluting All Who Contribute to Healthcare Quality | During the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring quality patient care has taken center stage, and Healthcare Quality Week (HQW) provides a perfect time to celebrate this work. The Quality Performance and Improvement Team offers shout outs to the many collaborators who support their work throughout the year, including the following:

• All leaders who use the Daily Management System to improve patient and team member outcomes at the local (unit/clinic) level, and to align efforts with enterprise goals.
• Everyone who has contributed to the ongoing, significant improvements in mortality, readmission, and hospital acquired C. difficile infections.
• The nursing team for its work on preparations for the upcoming standard work refresh that will kick off next week.
• This year’s Charles L. Brown Award winners, the Interoperability Team, for their work, entitled “Technology Reboot: Implementing Best Practice Standards to Assure Outcome Excellence and Accountability.”

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:05 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 3
Confirmed with COVID-19: 17

• Acute SPU (5S): 7
• ICU SPU (4S): 9
• PICU (7N): 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 10

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 94
Confirmed with COVID-19: 417

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:41 a.m.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Watch the Clock, Please! | As we prepare for the Medical Center’s upcoming triennial Joint Commission survey, team members are reminded to watch the clock when using a disinfectant to clean patient care equipment and surfaces. After application, each disinfectant requires a specific ‘contact time’ during which a surface must remain wet to effectively kill organisms. Contact times are noted on the disinfectant container. Only hospital approved disinfectants may be used. The Infection Control Manual provides additional information on Approved Disinfectants and contact times.

Do You Have Good Timing? Find out by taking this Survey Readiness Quiz and be entered to receive a prize!

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Updated: Employee Health Travel Guidelines | All team members who are considering traveling out of the area during the coming months should review the document SBAR: Travel Guidelines for New and Current UVA Health Employees, now posted in PDF format on the COVID-19 Resources page. Highlights of that document are below. 

Before you travel: 

• Review online materials 
• Complete the pre-travel evaluation form and submit it to your manager. GME Trainees should submit the form to their program directors.
• If you have questions about the risk level of your travel destination, contact Employee Health. 

After travel quarantine:

• The need for quarantine will be based on your destination and the size of non-cohort groups with which you interact. (See the risk assessment table below.)
  • Non-cohorts are individuals with whom you are not in frequent contact.
  • Cohorts are family, very close and trusted friends, coworkers seen frequently, sometimes called a social cohort

• If your travel experiences match the “yes” parameter for 14-day unpaid leave below, you must call Employee Health to be evaluated after you return.
• Team members who must quarantine may need to take up to 14 days of unpaid leave starting on the first day of return from travel.

Definitions: 

• Group activity: refers to some group travel (bus, train, cruise with non-cohort members; see airplane travel below) or group gatherings (parties, non-cohort gatherings etc.). Group number is defined as 10 or more. 
• Airline travel: The rate of COVID-19 at the destination is the determinant of your COVID-19 rate for the purpose of this guideline. Airlines that “require” mask use (except specific exemptions) and supply masks as needed are considered low risk for infection. If an airline “offers” but does not require masks, then this is not considered a low-risk airline. If there is a passenger without a mask, this person must be seated two seats in any direction away from the team member. 

Schwartz Center Rounds (Virtual Event) | Together, We Can Do So Much | Friday, Oct. 23 | Noon – 1 p.m. | Inspired by a quote from Helen Keller, this event will feature a nine-person panel. Continuing Education credit is offered, and a link will be shared at the end of the session.

• Zoom meeting link
• Password: bGphaGprb2Q2VUFDd2Vub0VGNHFJQT09
• Meeting ID: 995 3631 1126
• Passcode: 738266

APPRECIATION

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 this week! 

In case you are wondering, here are some of the things our Pharmacy team has been up to lately: 

• In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve remodeled the Pantops Infusion Pharmacy and are opening a new Pantops Retail Pharmacy to serve patients and team members in the Pantops area
• Upgrading their register software (point of sale system) to better integrate with Epic
• Managing the Meds-to-Beds program 
• Establishing a new education program for Pharmacy Techs to make it easier to become a pharmacy team member
• Launching a new texting and prescription refill program for team members
• Continuing to provide services, regardless of a customer’s ability to pay
• Offering financial assistance programs and payment plans to help ensure patients can access their medications

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Friday, Oct. 16, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 1:56 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 6
Confirmed with COVID-19: 25

• Acute SPU (5S): 10
• ICU SPU (4S): 11
• 7 Central: 1
• PICU (7N): 2

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 11

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 90
Confirmed with COVID-19: 404

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:36 a.m.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

Please. No. Don’t Put it There | As we prepare for the Medical Center’s upcoming triennial Joint Commission survey, team members are reminded to keep the area below all alcohol-based hand-rub dispensers free and clear. Storage of items such as waste receptacles is not permitted. The reason? Accumulation of alcohol dripping during the dispensing process poses a fire risk, especially on combustible items such as trash. 

Are You Good at Keeping it Clear? Take this Survey Readiness Quiz, and you’ll be entered to win a prize.

OPERATIONS

Update: Visitor Guidance for Patients Boarding in and Admitted From the ED | The Phase II Visitor Restrictions document posted on the COVID-19 Resources page has been updated to address the items noted below: 

• Can patients boarding in the ED have visitors? When ED patients are awaiting transfer to an inpatient unit, please follow ED Visitor Guidance.
• Do different visitation rules apply for inpatients admitted from the ED? Inpatient Visitor Guidance is to be followed with one exception: If a patient arrives in an inpatient unit outside visiting hours, they are allowed to have one designated visitor stay with them for four hours.
• Where can visitors wait? Designated visitors who are away from the patient bedside and all non-approved visitors must wait outside the Medical Center building. Individuals and groups cannot wait in the lobby, cafeteria, or other public areas within the Medical Center. Waiting in cars parked in Medical Center garages is permitted.

HUMAN RESOURCES 

Performance Management Reminders

• Due Tomorrow: Fiscal Year 2020 Year-End Reviews | Managers must complete 1:1 discussions with team members and submit their Manager Summary in Workday no later than Thursday, Oct. 15.
• Due Friday, Oct. 30: Fiscal Year 2021 Goals | Managers must review/approve team member FY21 goals in Workday.
• Performance Ratings and Self-Reviews Temporarily Suspended | Two exceptions to Medical Center Human Resources Policy No. 209 have been made due to COVID-19’s impacts on the organization: There will be no ratings in the Fiscal Year 2020 UVA Health Year-End Review, and team member self-evaluations (self-reviews) have become optional, though highly encouraged.

Open Enrollment Reminders

• Open Enrollment Ends Friday, Oct. 16 | Team members are encouraged to review and select benefits for the 2021 calendar year. Review materials on the Open Enrollment website.
• There’s Still Time to Check Out the Benefits and Well-Being Virtual Expo | Now through Friday, Oct. 16, team members can log onto the Expo 24/7 to learn more about their benefits from UVA HR and over 25 health and well-being vendors, access recorded presentations, and win one of many prizes! Visit the Expo.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Mini Clinics Offer Convenient Way to Get Annual Flu Shot | Mini flu shot clinics for team members who work in McKim Hall and the broader West Complex are now underway. See details of remaining dates below.

Connect for Support (Via Zoom) | Session for Managers | Thursday, Oct. 15 | 4-4:30 p.m. |FEAP invites managers to join this drop-in session to check in with peers who share a similar experience. Stressors have evolved over the past few months, and this session provides an opportunity to learn what others are experiencing and to find out about resources available from FEAP. Register.

APPRECIATION

Thank you, Case Managers | It’s National Case Management Week, which makes it the perfect time to recognize a group that rarely gets to be in the spotlight: our extraordinary Case Management colleagues. Essential partners in the care of our patients, our Case Managers are the ones who assess, plan, facilitate, and advocate for choices and services to ensure that the individual and comprehensive health care needs of our patients are met. We thank each and every member of our Case Management team for the crucial role they play and ask that all care teams take a moment this week to express gratitude to Case Managers supporting their patients.  

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Monday, Oct. 12, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 3:21 p.m.

Current Census
Under investigation for COVID-19: 3
Confirmed with COVID-19: 16

• SPU (5S): 8
• SPU-CVICU (4S): 7
• 7 Central: 1

Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 9

Discharged Since March 10
Under investigation for COVID-19: 87
Confirmed with COVID-19: 403

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:23 a.m.

JOINT COMMISSION SURVEY READINESS

It’s Pull Cord Check Time | To help the Medical Center prepare for its triennial Joint Commission survey, which can happen anytime between now and early March 2021, please ensure that all pull cords in patient bathrooms are hanging freely and not touching the floor. Keep cords from being tied or wrapped around grab bars or toilet paper dispensers. Bottom line: don’t let cords be stored in any way that would prevent a patient from quickly and easily pulling one to request assistance. 

Take the Pull Cord Quiz | Answer this Survey Readiness Quiz to be randomly selected to win a prize!

OPERATIONS

Final Preparations: Epic Upgrade is One Week Away | This is a great time to review downtime procedures and visit Upgrade Central in the Epic Learning Library to access role-based training guides and other support resources such as the Epic Playground. 

Mark your calendars:

• Downtime Begins – Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11 p.m. and lasts about 3 hours.
• Go Live – Sunday, Oct. 18, by 2 a.m., or earlier, if possible.

NEWS FROM GROUNDS

Oct. 8 Return to Grounds Update | This week’s update provides follow-up information about UVA’s new saliva testing program and notes that a two-week extension has been placed on temporary restrictions on the size of gatherings, new requirements for mask usage, and continued limits on visitors and unnecessary travel.

UVA Weekly: Dispatches from the Lab, Safe Activities, and a Memorial Tour (Video) |This week’s “UVA Weekly” episode includes an update from UVA President Jim Ryan about restrictions on Grounds, information about upcoming activities that students can attend, and a feature on one of UVA’s research labs, where researchers have been hard at work studying COVID-19 treatments and vaccine possibilities.

Inside UVA’s Evolving Strategy to Test for COVID-19 (UVA Today/Connect) | Every afternoon this fall semester, teams at the center of UVA’s coronavirus strategy gather on Zoom video conferences to plan the hours and days ahead. In typical understated fashion, Dr. Mitch Rosner, chair of the Department of Medicine and a constant presence across the various Zoom sessions, summed up the work at hand to his colleagues during a recent prevalence testing call. “We’re trying to balance a lot of things,” he said after a lengthy review of the day’s situation.

PATIENT CARE

Reminder: Patients With Respiratory-Related Medical Conditions Can Use Alternative Masks | Effective Sept. 9, 2020, the Clinical Guidance for Patient Mask Use states that patients and visitors who are over the age of 2 and have a medical condition that prohibits mask use should be seen and receive care in clinic if the patient agrees to wear an acceptable alternative mask, or full face shield. Otherwise, telehealth options should be offered. (Note: Please review the guidance document for exceptions for urgent care.) Patient personal preference is not a legitimate reason to allow mask alternatives.

TEAM MEMBER SAFETY AND WELL-BEING

Mini Flu Clinics Begin Monday, Oct. 12 | The first of four mini clinics where team members can receive their annual flu shot will be held Oct. 12. See complete schedule below.

Note: These clinics are being conducted specifically for team members who work in McKim Hall and the broader West Complex. 

Flu Shot Volunteers Needed | Employee Health is grateful for all who have volunteered to provide flu shots throughout UVA Health. Thank you! If any clinician has additional time to help vaccinate non-clinical groups, we still need help. Email Employee Health at employee_health@hscmail.mcc.virginia.edu, if you can assist.

Virtual Expo: Benefits and Well-Being | Accessible 24/7 | Now through Friday, Oct. 16 |Learn more about your benefits from UVA HR and over 25 health and well-being vendors, access recorded presentations, and win one of many prizes!

FEAP Program: 21 Ways in 21 Days to Rest and Restore | Starts Monday, Oct. 19 | In a few brief minutes, this program will help and encourage you to attend to your own needs kindly every day. It isn’t necessary to commit to a specific 21 days in succession; these activities are flexible and can be done as you choose. Register.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

Medical Center Hour (Virtual Event) | Climate Change in the Commonwealth – Health Implications | Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Noon-1 p.m. | This John F. Anderson Memorial Lecture is being presented by:

• Jeremy Hoffman, PhD, Chief Scientist, Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
• Christine James, MSc, MD, Institute for Asthma and Allergy; Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action; and Climate Health Now, San Diego, California
• Lena Bichell, SMD 2023, Climate Change and Health medical student interest group, UVA

Use this Zoom link to join the event and enter passcode: 439854.

FEAP Webinar: Conquering Stress| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Noon-1 p.m. | Presented by Rebecca Mason, this webinar will review a sequential model for evaluating our personal stressors and choosing the most appropriate stress management strategy. It will offer tips and techniques and provide an opportunity to share your experiences in managing stress. Note: This webinar will also be offered on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and an on-demand recording will be available for viewing starting Oct. 15. Learn more and register.

APPRECIATION

Honor Walk Draws Gratitude | “Last night, we took dinner and visited with a friend who recently lost his wife. We were talking about her last few days, her decision to be an organ donor, etc. She had multi strokes (before and after being admitted) and eventually passed away. UVA let her husband and children take part in her Honor Walk. The husband shared with me that the Honor Walk was such a blessing. I remember him saying that it was not clapping and cheering, but a moment of silence to reflect on and to honor her life and choice to be an organ donor. It brought the family closure and peace. I am so thankful that UVA took the time to do this. I can’t put into words how much it meant to them. I hope UVA continues to take the time to do this. I have witnessed the impact it has had on one family.” – A caring friend

VISIT OUR COVID-19 INFORMATION RESOURCE

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

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020

UVA COVID-19 INPATIENT SNAPSHOT, 2:47 p.m.

Current Census

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 3
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 17
  • Acute SPU (5S): 7
  • ICU SPU (4S): 9
  • STICU: 1
• Confirmed with COVID-19 on ventilator: 7

Discharged Since March 10

• Under investigation for COVID-19: 80
• Confirmed with COVID-19: 389

PPE INVENTORY UPDATE, 6:37 a.m.