UW Medicine’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reports on our ability to maintain normal operations using a scale from “monitoring” to “high level of activation” based on information about community transmission rates, hospital admissions, staffing capacity, space availability, PPE supplies and other impacts on the health system. This update provides a quick look at some of the key data used by the EOC to determine UW Medicine’s current level of activation. For more detailed information, you can review the EOC’s situation status reports.
EOC Level of Activation
March 15, 2022: The EOC is at a Low-Mid Level of Activation based on current numbers for COVID-19 admissions and community transmission. COVID-19 patients represent 2.21% of hospital admissions. UW Medicine hospitals are caring for 26 patients with COVID-19.
UW Medicine COVID-19 Inpatients
King County and Washington State Epidemiology
King County: Public Health – Seattle & King County is reporting 369,597 cases and 2,633 deaths as of March 14. The number of new cases over the last seven days is currently at 75.7 per 100,000 people.
Washington: The Department of Health reports 1,440,652 total cases and 12,219 deaths as of March 13.
Daily Capacity Data Report
The Daily Capacity Data Report shows the total occupancy and the number of COVID-19 patients at each hospital.
EOC Priorities
- Lessons Learned Survey Opens Today (New): UW Medicine’s Emergency Management response to COVID-19 has involved everyone in our organization. Please provide your feedback about what went well and what can be improved to guide our systemwide planning in the future. The survey can be completed in less than 10 minutes and will close at end of day on Friday, April 1, 2022. Survey link: https://redcap.link/LessonsLearnedSurvey
- Emergency Preparedness (New): In response to global events and uncertainties, UW Medicine is on a heightened state of alert for cybersecurity threats and supply chain disruptions. At the current time, normal operations continue in all areas.
- Visitor Policy (Updates to Number of Designated Visitors and Visitation Hours): UW Medicine hospitals are currently allowing one to two designated visitors per day for most inpatients, subject to each hospital’s guidelines and visitation hours. All visitors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and for compliance with vaccination/testing requirements. They must also wear a Level 3 surgical mask (to be provided at entrances) or higher level respirator (available on the units). See the visitor policy for details.
- Healthcare Worker Masking Requirements: Patient-facing healthcare workers may choose to wear procedure masks instead of respirators for usual care. Respirators are still required in cases where staff are doing procedures that are aerosol-producing, working with patients who are known or suspected of having COVID-19, in emergency departments or urgent care where a patient’s respiratory health status is often unknown, or in our operating rooms. If you wish to continue wearing a respirator, you should feel free to do so, and one will be provided. Procedure masks, however, are required at a minimum at this time. If you have questions, please review the UW Medicine masking policy.
- Eye Protection: Patient-facing healthcare workers may discontinue the use of eye protection except whenever respirators are required as outlined in the masking policy or when patients are in precautions that require eye protection. We continue to encourage the use of eye protection as part of standard precautions to protect you from other bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials.
- Staff Quarantine and Isolation Policy: UW Medicine has returned to a 10-day isolation period (or after 7 days following a negative antigen test) for all employees who test positive for COVID-19. See the policy for details.
- Booster Requirement Deadline Extended to March 31: All employees except those working in non-clinical roles in the School of Medicine are required to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster and show proof of meeting that requirement. For more information, please see COVID-19 Booster Campaign.
- Work-Related Travel Restrictions: UW Medicine is following UW policies for work-related travel.
Stay Informed
Leadership Messages:
- Meeting the Current Operational Challenges (March 15)
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update (March 10)
In the Media:
- What rising Covid-19 infections in the UK and Europe could mean for the US, Dr. Deborah Fuller, Microbiology, CNN
- ‘I think there’s a real opportunity’; Advancements needed in safe disposal of face masks, Dr. Paul Pottinger, Infectious Diseases, Q13
- The masks come off: What you need to know with statewide mandate ending March 12, Dr. Keith Jerome, Virology, KIRO
Ongoing communications:
- Emergency Operations Updates: Scheduled for Tuesdays.
- Dr. John Lynch COVID-19 Update: Scheduled for Thursdays every two weeks.
- Town Halls: Generally scheduled for 3 p.m. on Fridays every two weeks; Check your email for announcements (recordings available).
- Community Conversations: Check you email for dates and times (recordings available).
- EOC Situation Reports: Posted on the UW Medicine intranet (AMC login required).
- Leadership Messages and Employee Resources: Posted on The Huddle.
Sincerely,
UW Medicine Leadership
