Happy Holidays and Updates from Yale Health
In the spirit of this joyous season, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. Whether you're celebrating traditions with family and friends or taking a well-deserved break, we hope you find time to relax and rejuvenate.
We would also like to take a moment to share a few updates with you as 2023 comes to a close:
- Revised Masking Guidance
- Recess Hours
- New Member Coverage Booklet
Revised Masking Guidance
As many of you are probably aware, we are well into respiratory virus season with increasing cases of flu, COVID, and RSV, both here at Yale Health as well as throughout the New Haven community and the state. We expect cases to increase further over the coming months. As a result, we will adjust our masking guidance and signage to a new, higher risk level of ORANGE. At this level, masking is strongly recommended for all staff and patients, and required for those with respiratory symptoms.
What will this mean for you?
- Patients should wear a mask in waiting rooms, departments, elevators, the Pharmacy, and other areas with the potential for close contact.
- This masking approach aligns with steps being taken by YNHH, Yale Medicine, and Northeast Medical Group peers.
- The new signage is a strong visual cue of the higher viral activity level. We will step back to the yellow level when levels come back down, again working closely with our peer institutions.
- While we know no one is enthusiastic about masking, this is the right thing to do at this point in the year.
We would also take this opportunity to strongly encourage COVID and flu vaccines if you have not already received them. Appointments are available this week! Vaccine clinics will be closed over recess.
Recess Hours
On Friday, December 22, Yale University begins its winter recess and Yale Health will begin operating on a recess schedule.
Acute care will remain open from 8 am – 10 pm for in-person visits throughout this recess, with clinical guidance phone lines staffed by Registered Nurses operating 24/7 at (203) 432 – 0123.
Please refer to our website for specific department hours between Friday, December 22 and Tuesday, January 2.
New Member Coverage Booklet
We are pleased to share that the newly designed 2024 Employee Coverage Booklet will be posted on our website this week for your reference and review. The new booklet features a modern look and feel, with:
- Call-out boxes and graphics used to highlight new or updated features and break down categories, processes, etc.
- Hyperlinks to our website, outside providers, and email contacts.
- Improved sectional layout and design for easier navigation.
We encourage you to spend some time reviewing it to fully understand all that Yale Health has to offer.
Happy New Year!
As we look ahead to the new year, we are excited about the possibilities and opportunities that await us. We look forward to our continued partnership with you to provide exceptional care and support on your healthcare journey.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year!