We are writing to address recent incidents involving visitors who have refused to wear masks in UW Medicine facilities. Given the importance of universal masking to limit the spread of COVID-19, we know how upsetting these incidents have been to our employees as well as to our patients and other visitors.
We also want to be clear that UW Medicine will be strictly enforcing our Visitor Policy that requires all visitors to wear a mask in our facilities. Visitors who refuse to wear a mask will be escorted out of the building by Security.
If you encounter a visitor who refuses to wear a mask, you can inform them that masks are required and available at a building entrance. If they continue to violate our policy, please call Security so that they can be escorted from the building.
As faculty and staff, our responsibility for the safety of our co-workers, patients and visitors also includes the requirement that all employees must wear masks and wear them properly. If you see any employee without a mask, please remind them respectfully of our policy and talk with your supervisor if compliance continues to be a problem.
For more information, please refer to our UW Medicine Required and Extended-Use Masking Policy Statement for Staff, Faculty, Patients, Visitors and Vendors.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brandenburg
President
UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics
Timothy H. Dellit, MD
Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine
President, UW Physicians
Paul Hayes, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Harborview Medical Center
Cindy Hecker
Chief Executive Officer
UW Medical Center
