Hospital Directory: What Patient Information is Releasable?
With a general consent, University Community Health may release certain information about a patient that is included in what HIPAA calls the hospital’s directory. Subject to the patient’s right to object, University Community Health may disclose the following information in its directory only to persons who inquire about the patient by name:

The patient’s general condition in terms that do not communicate specific medical information about the individual (e.g., good, fair, serious, critical)
Location of the patient in the facilty

Previously, University Community Health made the distinction between individuals transported to any of its facilities by public or private vehicles. This distinction is no longer necessary or possible. No matter how a person arrives or how important or well known he or she may be, HIPAA requires University Community Health to assure privacy. Unless authorized in writing by the patient or a patient’s representative, University Community Health is limited to providing only the directory information.

Due to the fact that media must ask for patients by name, they will not be able to obtain a list of admissions or discharges.

Maternity Patients and Births
The birth of a baby is a matter of public record, and prior to HIPAA, hospitals were free to disclose it. Under HIPAA, vital events such as births may only be disclosed to a public health authority without obtaining the patient’s consent or authorization. However, such disclosures may NOT be made to the media without specific authorization, and University Community Health should refer all such inquiries to the public health authority. In addition, the photographing or videotaping of infants may be done only if University Community Health obtains an authorization that meets the requirements of HIPAA from the infant’s parents.

Deaths
The death of a patient, while considered a matter of public record under state law, is considered protected health information under HIPAA. Thus, the condition of death may be released for deceased patients who have not opted out of the directory. However, University Community Health will first notify the next of kin or make a reasonable attempt to do so. Information regarding the cause of death must come from the patient’s physician, and a legal representative of the deceased must approve its release.

When the coroner investigates a death, questions about the cause of death should be addressed to that public office. The coroner’s office may also have information about which funeral home is handling arrangements for the deceased.

Special Circumstances
If the news media request is for information about a minor child, the parent or legal guardian must first grant consent even if the child may be listed in the hospital directory.

University Community Health may withhold information until a reasonable attempt has been made to notify the patient’s next-of-kin. This is especially important in accident cases to ensure that relatives are informed before hearing it in a news report. Directory information may be delayed or unavailable for an emergency or unconscious patient.

In addition, University Community Health will cooperate when law enforcement agencies advise that no information be released.

Patients may authorize University Community Health to release information beyond the directory structures, but authorization must be specific as to the information releasable, timeline and recipient.