For the Media
CHI Health welcomes media professionals to work with its Public Relations team to arrange patient interviews and stories, to obtain background information and interviews with its professionals, and to visit its facilities along with CHI Health escorts.
The following guidelines must be followed for contacting CHI Health to arrange interviews, video sessions, or photo opportunities:
- Contact Public Relations to arrange all interviews or background conversations with any member of CHI Health’s staff. Public Relations is responsible for all inquiries from the media and can provide sources for your story.
- Reporters should identify CHI Health staff by their CHI Health title in stories related to the staff member’s work or role at CHI Health.
- Advance notice of on-site interviews is necessary so Public Relations staff can arrange for a room for media interviews or shoots, notify the patient care areas involved, and schedule the appropriate patients, families and CHI Health staff for the story.
- To protect the privacy of all CHI Health patients and families, Public Relations must accompany reporters, film crews, and photographers on an CHI Health campus.
Patient Condition Reports
CHI Health respects its patients' right to privacy. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) specifies the purposes for which information may and may not be released without authorization from the patient.
Information about a patient's general condition may be released only if the inquiry specifically identifies the patient by name. No information will be given if a request does not include a specific patient's name or if the patient exercises the right to opt out of being listed in the hospital directory.
As long as the patient has not requested that information be withheld, a condition report may be provided to individuals, including the media, who inquire without obtaining permission from the patient. To request a trauma patient condition report, contact our public relations team.
CHI Health uses the following condition reports:
Undetermined
Patient is awaiting physician assessment or is currently being evaluated by a physician.
Good
Vital signs* are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are favorable.
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
Patient was treated at facility and released.
Treated and Transferred
Patient was treated at facility and transferred to another facility.
Deceased
A patient's death can be released only after the family is notified and after permission is granted.
*vital signs include temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; these signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of functioning.