Dear Colleagues:
As a follow up to the recent announcement from University Communications, Guidance on Potential On-Campus Interactions with Immigration Agents, the Office of Healthcare Compliance & Privacy (OHCP), the Office of Health Affairs, and the Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights (OICR) would like to remind the UConn Health community of the existing tip sheet that outlines the steps to take if agents or officers from the listed agencies arrive on any UConn Health campus.
As an academic medical center, our campus often hosts visitors from a variety of external organizations, including regulatory and law enforcement agencies. The presence of such individuals in public spaces is not uncommon and is not necessarily a cause for concern.
We have also received questions regarding the distinction between public and non-public spaces at UConn Health. While these designations can be nuanced and context-dependent, the following general guidance may be helpful.
- Non-public spaces are areas not opened to the public and that typically require permission, specific credentials, or badge access to enter (e.g. offices, clinical units),
- Public spaces are accessible without restriction (e.g. hallways, lounges).
- Areas where staff must escort a patient, such as treatment rooms, are generally considered non-public, whereas patients can enter independently, such as waiting rooms, are generally considered public.
We encourage leaders to share this information with students, staff, and faculty within their departments. This can be done through department newsletters, team meetings, huddles or other routine communication channels. Additionally, staff from OHCP and OICR are available to meet with departments to address questions and provide localized guidance.
Michael R. Dwyer, MA, CHC, CHPC
AVP, Chief Healthcare Compliance & Privacy Officer
Office of Healthcare Compliance & Privacy, UConn Health
