Updates on surgeries, procedures and hospital visitation (Message to UW Medicine patients)

This message was sent to UW Medicine patients.

To our valued patients and their families:

As the numbers of COVID-19 positive inpatients in our hospitals decline, UW Medicine is cautiously optimistic that this trend will continue so we can resume normal operations. We are, however, continuing to take precautions to keep our patients, staff, and visitors as safe as possible. For this reason, when the state and King County lift masking mandates and discontinue the need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test entering certain venues, our hospitals and clinics will continue these restrictions.

Read more below about our latest precautions, including masking, expansion of visitation at our hospitals, and expectations about restarting non-urgent surgeries and procedures.

Visitor Precautions (all up-to-date information can be found on our Visitor Policy webpage)

Masking

We are continuing to require masking for everyone over the age of 2 entering our healthcare facilities.

• When entering our facilities, we will provide you with a medical mask to wear over your mask or face covering; there is no need to remove your mask.
• You are expected to wear the mask we give you. Please be sure to cover your nose and mouth at all times when you are in the facility.

Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in all hospitals and clinics for visitors

All UW Medicine hospitals and clinics (except for Seattle Cancer Care Alliance clinics) regardless of location require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test collected within 3 days before entering our facilities. While booster shots are not required, they are strongly encouraged.

This requirement applies to:

• Inpatient visitors over the age of 12.
• Adults accompanying clinic patients over the age of 18.

This requirement does not apply to patients.

Hospital visitation

All of our UW Medicine hospitals are resuming limited visitations of one designated person per day for a limited duration during these visiting hours:

• UW Medical Center Montlake and Northwest campuses: 11 am – 8 pm.
• Harborview Medical Center: 12 pm – 6 pm.
• Valley Medical Center: 8 am – 8 pm.

Non-urgent surgeries and procedures

On February 17, Washington state’s mandate to postpone procedures and surgeries during the Omicron surge ended. We are pleased that these restrictions are no longer in place. UW Medicine care teams will contact patients to reschedule their surgery or procedure as soon as possible.

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to deliver the safest care possible.

Sincerely,
UW Medicine Leadership