NEWS/MEDIA RELATIONS POLICY

GOAL
To establish procedures for the release of information or photographs to the news media pertaining to hospital patients and other hospital affairs.

POLICY
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, and Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital employees are not authorized to give information pertaining to hospital business or patients to any member of the news media.

Employees receiving a request from the news media for hospital or patient information, photographs, permission to photograph or film on site should direct all inquiries to the Public Affairs Office, (805) 879-8980. Evening and weekend requests for patient information should be directed to the nursing supervisor or to the administrator-on-call.

DEFINITION
News media is defined to include radio, television, and all forms of print media, as well as wire services and free-lance writers and photographers.

PROCEDURE
In case of a media inquiry regarding a patient's condition, the hospital spokesperson will contact appropriate nursing personnel for patient's current condition. Standardized condition reports include only the following categories:

Good - Vital signs stable, within normal limits. Patient is conscious, comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
Fair - Vital signs stable, within normal limits. Patient is conscious, 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.

(Please note that “guarded” and “stable” are not acceptable terminology for condition reports.)

General Guidelines:
Under HIPAA, information about a patient's condition may be released only if the inquiry specifically contains the patient's name and the patient has not requested that information be withheld.

At no time should a patient's location in a psychiatric or substance abuse unit be disclosed.

Generally, no information may be released about minors without parental or guardian consent.

Additional information is not generally released. Complete guidelines are available in Public Affairs, the SBCH Nursing Administration Office, GVCH Administration Office, and SYVCH Administration Office.

In the case of accidents and other emergencies (including DOAs), information is not generally released to the media until next-of-kin have been notified.

All photography and filming of patients or areas of the hospital by the media must be coordinated through the Public Affairs office (805) 879-8980. Public Affairs personnel will notify Security in advance of such photography or filming, confirming administrative approval. No photos of hospital patients including newborns, may be taken by media personnel without first obtaining a signed patient release form “Consent to Photograph” (parent must authorize any photographs for their minor children.)

Should unannounced news media personnel appear in any department, on any floor, or on hospital grounds, they should be directed immediately to contact the Public Affairs office (805) 879-8980. Once notified, Public Affairs will call Security as appropriate, come to the site to determine the nature of the visit, if necessary, and handle the situation accordingly. The media will then be informed or reminded of the CHS News/Media Relations Policy for future reference. On weekends and evenings, a security guard should escort unannounced news media personnel to the Nursing Supervisor's office.

While on hospital property, members of the news media may be required to wear appropriate hospital identification issued through the Public Affairs office or the Nursing Supervisor's office and shall be accompanied at all times by a member of the Public Affairs staff or their designee.

In the event of a potential legal hearing conducted on hospital property, the Public Affairs Director or her designee will contact the Chief Operating Officer and the Vice President of Development and Public Relations. If necessary, the proper legal authorities will be consulted before a decision is reached regarding media attendance. If the answer is yes, Public Affairs will provide appropriate media access while making every effort to protect both the comfort and confidentiality of other patients, their families and visitors.