Media Policies

Interview, Photography & Live Shot Requests

CMH Marketing must approve requests for interviews and photographs with patients, physicians or employees at CMH facilities before scheduling.

CMH Marketing will request written consent from the interviewee and accompany news media at all times in CMH facilities. 

Patient Information Requests

Under patient privacy laws, news media must provide the patient's first and last name (with correct spelling) before the release of any patient information.

Marketing will not release information about:

• Patients who request that no information be released.
• Patients who are involved in domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, child/elderly abuse, chemical dependency or attempted suicide.
• Patients involved in a police case or in danger as determined by law enforcement officials.
• Patients who are under age 18, without a parent or legal guardian's written consent.

All policies are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's privacy rule and the American Hospital Association's "Guidelines for Releasing Information on the Condition of Patients." Guidelines are consistent throughout Citizens Memorial Hospital and Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation.

Patient Condition Reports

One-Word Patient Condition Reports: describe a patient's medical status. "Stable" is not a condition report and should not be used alone or with other condition reports.

• Undetermined - Patient is awaiting physician assessment or is currently be evaluated by a physician.
• Treated and Released - Received treatment at a facility but not admitted.
• 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.
• Death – Condition may be released when individual’s body remains in the facility.

Vital signs include the measurement of temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure and, where appropriate, blood oxygen saturation. These numbers provide critical information about a patient's state of health.