Special News Interest
During hospitalization, two distinct rights of patients must be considered: the right of privacy and the confidential nature of the patient’s medical records. The confidentiality of medical records is not surrendered without patient consent or authorization. HIPAA does not make an exception for famous persons, public figures or for items of unusual news interest.

When public interest exists, University Community Health observes the following guidelines:

Attending Physician - University Community Healthmay release the name of the attending physician only with the physician's consent. However, the attending physician’s name cannot be released to the news media when the physician’s specialty would divulge inappropriate detail as to the nature of the patient’s illness/injury (e.g., knowing that the physician is a psychiatrist may imply that the patient has emotional problems).

Blood Tests - If University Community Health performs a blood alcohol or drug test on a patient as part of a chemical analysis for any reason, the results must be released to law enforcement officers—regardless of whether the patient has given consent— if it is requested for the purpose of criminal investigation. Since law requires this disclosure to law enforcement, HIPAA will allow for the disclosure. However, University Community Health’s policies and procedures may require that the law enforcement officials provide written verification and authority to receive the results prior to University Community Health disclosing the information. Even though this information is being provided to a public agency, University Community Health will not release it to the media and will otherwise refer media inquiries to the law enforcement agency or prosecutor’s office without confirming or denying that a test was performed. The guiding principle for this practice is that medical tests and treatments are private and confidential, even in public record cases, and should not be released to the media.

Coroner’s Cases - The coroner decides what is or is not a coroner’s case. University Community Health’s policy is to report any suspicious death: the coroner may accept or decline it. If a death is the subject of a coroner’s investigation, inquiries will be directed to his or her office. University Community Health may not release any information regarding the general cause of death. Requests for other information, such as autopsy results, must be referred to the coroner.

Child or Adult Abuse - State law requires that suspected child or adult abuse cases be reported to the appropriate law enforcement or protective agency. However, these records are confidential. University Community Health will not disclose any information concerning a suspected abuse case nor confirm a suspected abuse case except to those person or agencies authorized by law to receive the information.

Disease Outbreaks - Reporting of disease outbreaks is done in the strictest of confidence and the information will remain confidential.

Sexual Assault - Except in the case of a child or adult abuse, sexual assault is not a reportable event. University Community Health is not permitted to notify police unless the individual patient authorizes the disclosure. If the incident is reported to police authorities, University Community Health will not disclose the identification, name or address of the patient to the media. No statement may be given regarding the nature of the incident or injuries.

Substance Abuse - No statement may be made as to whether a patient is the victim of an overdose of drugs, or whether the patient is intoxicated, or if intoxication is by alcohol or other drugs. Any statement regarding the alleged use of narcotics must come from the investigating authorities, not University Community Health. Federal law prohibits University Community Health from reporting alcohol abuse or even confirming that an alcohol or drug abuser is being treated.

High Profile Person - Admission of a high profile or VIP may result in special requests from the media for interviews or photographs. The patient’s physician, in cooperation with the patient, will determine whether the patient is able to conduct an interview or be photographed without harmful effect. However, in any event, University Community Health must obtain a HIPAA authorization prior to permitting such activities. If a patient prefers that release of news be handled by his/her own spokesperson, University Community Health will cooperate willingly. In this case, University Community Health will ensure that information relative to the patient’s medical condition is provided by an authorized source and pursuant to a HIPAA authorization. The patient’s physician, if given, should supply diagnosis and/or prognosis. If continuing demands for interviews could prove detrimental to the patient’s well-being or disruptive to the welfare of other patients and the staff’s functioning, University Community Health will limit the number of news media admitted and confine coverage to a pool arrangement, whereby media agree that one reporter (and/or photographer) will represent the entire group with the interview of the patient. If the high profile person does NOT wish to make his/her hospitalization known, University Community Health will comply with his/her wishes and exclude the person’s name or other information from the University Community Health facility’s directory. After the patient’s discharge, University Community Health is no longer in a position to disclose information to media concerning that person or his/her medical condition. All inquiries should be directed to the patient, the patient’s family, spokesperson or legal counsel. The signed patient authorization form to release information must include a time limit and purpose, which should be related to the time the patient is hospitalized. Requests for information after the patient has been discharged will be referred to the patient, even if they concern the patient’s hospitalization. In all cases, University Community Health will seek authorization from high profile persons, their immediate families and physicians or spokespeople, before permitting photographs, videotaping or releasing of any information.