In mid-August, we made the decision to postpone non-urgent surgeries through Sept. 19 due to staff and patient capacity challenges posed by the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in our region. Unfortunately, the recent surge is still impacting UW Medicine facilities and other healthcare systems across our state and country.
As a result, UW Medicine is extending our postponement of non-urgent surgeries through Oct. 1. We continue to work with our physicians and operational teams to review each scheduled patient in order to identify those for whom it is safe to delay their surgery to a later date. We know it can be difficult for some patients and families to adjust to these unexpected changes, and we are grateful for your support and cooperation as we maintain our ability to care for those patients who require hospitalization through this current phase of the pandemic.
COVID-19 testing for employees and family members
Some staff have asked for clarification on the process for employees who need to get a COVID-19 test. Testing resources are available to employees and their families through UW Medicine. We have outlined the steps below. Please share this process with your teams and family; contact your supervisor with any questions.
- To schedule a COVID-19 test, look for the shortcut icon on the home screen of your work computer and then select “Get Tested.
- ”You should also save the direct link for testing to your personal email or computer so that you can access it offsite via survey.labmed.uw.edu/eh-covid.
- To request a test, employees must complete the RedCap survey. If you qualify for testing, you will receive an email with a link to Calendly for scheduling.
- Employee test sites include:
- UWMC – Northwest: COVID-19 test site is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Harborview: COVID-19 test site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Both sites attempt to see team members on the same day that testing requests are made.
- For travel testing, employees can schedule a COVID-19 test at uwmedicine.org/coronavirus/testing.
- To schedule testing appointments for family members, call the Contact Center employee line at 206.520.5050.
Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most important tool to end this pandemic. In keeping with Governor Inslee’s vaccination proclamation, all UW Medicine employees will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an approved medical or religious exemption no later than Monday, Oct. 18, 2021. To schedule a first-dose appointment, download exemption forms or submit your proof of vaccination, visit our scheduling portal. As you make plans to complete the vaccination requirement, please note that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is in very limited supply and may not be available.
Employees who have already submitted their exemption request form will hear directly from UW Medicine Human Resources once their request has been reviewed. We are currently working to align the evaluation of exemption requests with the broader University of Washington review process.
Thank you for your continuing vigilance and for all that you do for 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
Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington and
President, UW Physicians
