Media Information

• All requests for patient conditions must go through the marketing and public relations department.
• While on hospital property, all media representatives must be accompanied by a marketing/PR representative at all times.
• Anyone entering the hospital with a camera (still or video) must be accompanied by a marketing/PR representative.
• All requests for filming of any type must be made in advance by calling the marketing and public relations department.
• All patients who agree to be interviewed, photographed or filmed on hospital property for any reason must provide written consent to the marketing and public relations department. Only patients who give this consent may be interviewed, photographed or filmed.

The implementation of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets standards that all health care institutions follow to safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality.

In general, information about a patient may be released if it is included in the hospital's directory and if the patient has not specified that no information be released.

More specifically, Adventist Medical Center uses the following American Hospital Association guidelines for release of patient information to the public and the media:

Inquiries must identify the patient by name—Information about the patient's general condition and location of an inpatient, outpatient or Emergency Department patient may be released only if the inquiry specifically identifies the patient by name. No information may be given if a request does not include a specific patient's name or if the patient requests the information not be released. This includes inquiries from the press.

Release of patient's general condition and location—As long as the patient has not requested information be withheld, the marketing/PR department may release the patient's one-word condition and location to individuals who inquire about the patient by name, without obtaining prior patient authorization. This includes inquiries from the press.

Patient condition information—The marketing and public relations department releases all official patient information to media. In keeping with the guidelines of the American Hospital Association, we provide a one-word patient condition—undetermined, good, fair, serious or critical—unless otherwise instructed by the patient. Patient conditions are defined in accordance with the following AHA standards:

• 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.

If a patient has not specified that no information may be released, the hospital may disclose that a patient was treated and released. However, without patient authorization, we may not release information to the media regarding the date of release or where the patient went upon release.

In summary, Adventist Health may release patient condition and location information only if:

• The patient has not stated he or she does not want information released, including information confirming his or her presence in the hospital
• In the hospital's professional judgment, releasing such information would be in the patient's best interest

Death of a Patient—The death of a patient may be reported to the authorities by Adventist Health, as required by law. Under HIPAA, hospitals cannot share information with the media on the specifics about sudden, violent or accidental deaths or deaths from natural causes without the permission of the decedent's next of kin or other legal representative. A hospital also may not disclose information regarding the date, time or cause of death to the media.