Patient Conditions

Release of patient conditions and information

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and their patients’ medical information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated regulations that govern privacy standards for healthcare information.

As mandated by HIPAA, information about a patient’s general condition may be released to the media only if the inquiry specifically identifies the patient by name. No information may be given if a request does not include a specific patient name.

Only a representative from Public Relations or the shift coordinator may release information to the media. In certain circumstances, the attending physician may assume this responsibility.

Please note: A patient may “opt out” of information release altogether – including confirmation of his or her presence in the facility. If a patient has chosen to opt out of the patient directory, no information can be released on the patient including an acknowledgement that the patient is even in the hospital.

Questions about an accident or cause of injury due to an accident, will be referred law enforcement agency. Conditions of persons who are in custody, but receiving care at FMC will be referred to law enforcement.

No information will be released on Behavioral Health Services or Safe Child Center patients.

Occasionally, we will release general information to help calm public anxiety. In disasters or other highly charged situations, we might give general information such as the number of patients being treated and their conditions. No identifying information will be released.

All media inquiries regarding patient conditions must contain the patient’s full name.
No specifics will be given about the nature of a patient’s injuries or condition or medical prognosis.

We will, however, provide a one-word condition report based upon the categories listed below:

• Unavailable: Patient is awaiting physician 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.
• Unconscious: The hospital may release information that the patient was unconscious when brought to the hospital.
• Deceased: The death of a patient is presumed to be a matter of public record and may be reported by the hospital after the next-of-kin has been notified or after a reasonable time has passed. Information regarding the cause of death must come from a patient’s physician and its release must be approved by a member of the immediate family (when available).

We do not report stable as a condition, and it should not be used in combination with the above condition reports. By definition, the conditions above indicate the stability of a patient.