Media Policy/Releasing Patient Conditions to Media

Thank you for your interest in St. John Providence Health System. We value our relationships with the news media and are dedicated to working to meet your needs.

To arrange interviews with SJPHS experts and for information concerning SJPHS, its local operating units, its associates and patients, media should contact a public relations representative. If you need to reach a representative after normal business hours or on weekends, page 313-609-0353.

At any SJPHS location, media must be escorted by a public relations representative or their designee while on site.

Media members may interview and photograph/video tape patients but only after they after they sign the SJPHS Authorization for Photo/Interview Release. (Link here to HIPAA privacy policy). Media may not contact patients directly and must work through the public relations representative or designee.

Information on Patient's Condition

Requests for information on patient condition must go through the public relations department at the specific hospital. If you need information on a patient's condition after normal business hours or on weekends, please page 313-609-0353 to speak with the on-call public relations representative.

Due to patient privacy laws, we must limit information on patient condition to the following one-word conditions:

• Undetermined - patient is awaiting physician and/or 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 possibly 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.

No other terms should be used to describe patient condition.