Media policy on release of patient information
Guidelines for Releasing Information on Hospital Patients
Advocate’s top priority is providing the safest and highest quality of care for our patients. We hold the confidentiality and privacy of our patients and families in the highest regard. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) sets forth standards that we must follow with regard to the release of patient information.
These guidelines are intended to help members of the media and the public better understand the legal issues and rules when seeking patient information from the hospital.
If a hospital patient has not requested that his or her information be withheld, a one-word condition may be released to anyone who asks about a patient aged 18 or older by first and last name. Unless the patient has requested no information be released. Here are definitions of the one-word patient conditions we can release (as determined by the American Hospital Association):
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 not be conscious; indicators are unfavorable.
Treated and released. Received treatment but not admitted.
Deceased. Once family has been appropriately notified.
Mass Casualty. If there are mass casualties, the spokesperson may release basic patient information, such as the aggregate number of victims and their general one-word conditions. However, individually-identifiable patient information may not be released without the patient’s consent.
When Patient Information is Not Released
If the patient is a minor (under the age of 18), no information will be released without the consent of a parent or legal guardian, even if the person has the patient’s first and last name.
A patient, or the person authorized to give consent, can opt out of providing information altogether.
In sensitive circumstances, Advocate may independently make the decision not to release any information. We will not issue condition reports or statements on sexual assaults, child abuse, spousal abuse, mental illness, AIDS, suicide or suicide attempts, or cases involving drugs or alcohol.
The hospital will not comment or provide a condition report on police officers or firefighters.
Death of a Patient
The death of a patient will be reported to the authorities by the hospital, as required by law.
The hospital will refer reporters to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Information about the cause of death must come from the patient’s physician, and a legal representative of the deceased must approve its release.
- This means that hospitals cannot share information with the media on the specifics about sudden, violent, or accidental deaths; or deaths from natural causes, without the permission from the decedent’s next-of-kin or other legal representative.
- A hospital may not disclose a patient’s cause of death, date of death, or time of death to the media.
Media on Campus and Media Contacting Patients
- A member of Advocate's Public Affairs Department must escort members of the media at all times while on campus.
- Patients and/or their family members may not arrange for interviews with the media to take place at the medical center.
- All requests for interviews to take place at the hospital must go through the Public Affairs Department.
- In the majority of cases, to avoid interruptions to patient care, Advocate Health Care’s media policy does not include on-camera, in-person interviews for victims of crime while the patient is hospitalized.
- To respect the privacy of our patients, media should not call the hospital and ask to speak to a patient by name. All requests to talk to patients needs to go through the Public Affairs Department.
Thank you for your understanding.