Patient Conditions and Release of Patient Information
Privacy regulations issued by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) strictly govern the use and release of a patient's personal health information. As a member of the media, here is what you need to know if you want information about a patient at a Bronson.
- You must have the patient's first and last name before we can release a condition. Without a name, condition reports can’t be released.
- If you have the patient's first and last name, the only information that may be released to the media is a one-word condition report – unless the Bronson media relations specialist receives consent from the patient or, if the patient is under 18 years of age, the patient's parent or guardian.
- Patients have the right to deny any information be released about their condition – even that one-word condition report. For a minor, the parent or guardian has the authority to make that decision.
Here are the one-word patient conditions we can release:
- 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.
