Quick Read:
- UW Medicine is closely following the war and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Employees can contribute to relief efforts through the UW Combined Fund Drive.
- Our Information Security and Supply Chain teams are monitoring global events closely to protect against disruptions to normal operations.
- Programs and resources to support our resiliency include Peer Support, Employee Mental Health and the new Trauma Stewardship Institute Workshop.
- Emergency preparedness is a shared responsibility so that we can continue serving our patients and community in times of crisis.
UW Medicine is closely following global events in Ukraine. We are deeply saddened by this war and the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the region. We are also closely monitoring global events to protect our information technology, supply chain and communications infrastructure against possible disruptions that could come from Russia or other countries in retaliation for Western sanctions.
Cybersecurity
We know that healthcare systems are frequent targets of cyberattacks, including malware and ransomware, and that these attacks may increase during wartime. In fact, the American Hospital Association recently warned of an elevated threat to U.S. hospitals and health systems from “Russian-sponsored cyber actors.”
UW Medicine’s Information Security works closely and continually with UW Information Technology to maintain multiple security programs. These programs are designed to ensure the safety and privacy of our patients and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of UW Medicine data and information systems.
It is also important for each of us to remain watchful in our daily use of technology. As a refresher on best practices, please see How Can You Be Safe and More Secure Online? If you have additional questions, contact the UW Medicine IT Service Desk at mcsos@uw.edu or 206.543.7012.
Supply Chain Resiliency
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, UW Medicine’s Supply Chain has worked with vendors to build our inventory of critical items and limit our risk of future shortages. We now stock more than 800 unique items at our warehouses. While we do not anticipate significant short-term disruptions from the war in Ukraine, many raw materials used in the production of medical supplies come from the region and could be impacted if fighting and sanctions persist. In partnership with vendors and industry peer groups, we are closely monitoring this situation and developing contingency plans to prepare for future impacts on global supply.
Employee Resources
We understand that these world events combined with two-years of pandemic challenges have left many of us feeling overwhelmed. If you are struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of our programs and resources for Peer Support and Employee Mental Health.
We also encourage you to participate in a new Trauma Stewardship Institute Workshop that will be offered on March 23 and on June 21. This training will be the same on both days. It will offer practical tools to help participants individually and collectively sustain the challenges of trauma, secondary trauma and the sense of being overwhelmed. Please use the registration links below or visit Trauma Stewardship Training for more information.
- March 23, 1 to 3 p.m., Meeting Registration – Zoom
- June 21, 4 to 6 pm., Meeting Registration – Zoom
Support for Ukraine
The Ukrainian Ministry of Health is requesting foreign aid to replenish critical medical supplies and equipment. While UW Medicine is limited in what we can provide by state law, we are working with UW Surplus to donate supplies such as 340,000 non-safety needles in response to this request.
For personal donations, the UW Combined Fund Drive has posted a list of member organizations that are responding to the crisis in Ukraine. The last two years have taught us how connected we are to the global community. They have also shown us that our strength comes from working together in response to all challenges. Thank you, as always, for keeping us prepared to serve our patients and community.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brandenburg
President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics
Vice President for Medical Affairs
University of Washington
Timothy H. Dellit, MD
Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine
Executive Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs,
UW School of Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington and
President, UW Physicians
