News Media
Our staff is available to respond to questions and requests from news media.
Please know that our first priority is always the safety and privacy of our patients and their families. We abide by federal privacy regulations which limit the information we can share about patients without written consent from the patient or appropriate patient representative.
When asking for a patient’s condition update, reporters must first provide the media representative with the patient’s first and last name. If we do not have a patient by that name listed in our directory, it may mean they have chosen to be listed as a “confidential patient” in which case, by law, we cannot acknowledge that he or she is a patient at our hospital.
Our hospitals and affiliated organizations use standard language allowable by federal privacy regulations and American Hospital Association guidelines to describe patient conditions. They are:
- Undetermined - Patient is awaiting physician and/or assessment.
- Good - Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
- Fair - Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
- Serious - Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.
- Critical - Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
- Treated and Released – This could mean the patient was sent home or to another facility.
We ask media to work with our media relations staff to coordinate interviews. Our policy requires we accompany any media on our premises. The best way to contact us is by email or cell phone. Simply ask us by email if you’d like our cell phone numbers.