For Media

The Community Hospital's Public Relations staff is responsible for building relationships with community and media organizations to provide information about medical services and events. We recognize that media is an important communication link, but understand the need to protect patient privacy.

Media Requests for Interviews or Photographs
Members of the media interested in conducting interviews or taking photographs of staff, patients, or patients' families must request permission from the Community Hospital Public Relations staff. This includes internal visits to Community Hospital and other external shots for video or still photography on the property. This includes media inquiries for Banner Medical Group.

For more information, please contact:

Kally Foster
Public Relations Specialist
email
(307) 534-7101

Release of Patient Information
The Public Relations staff processes patient update requests from media with the utmost regard for a patient's right to confidentiality guaranteed by the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the dissemination of consistent, accurate information. Information released to the media will be to the extent permitted by federal and state laws.

Information about the condition of an inpatient, outpatient, or emergency department patient may be released only if the inquiry specifically contains the patient's name.

A patient's or employee's individual wishes for privacy or to participate in media coverage are foremost in this policy. A patient, or the person authorized to give consent, can opt out of providing information altogether.

For more details regarding our policy on providing patient information or other hospital related requests, please contact us.

Patient Condition Classifications

• Treated and Released
  The patient has been treated by the hospital and has been released.
• Good
  Vital signs (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, temperature) are stable and within normal limits. The patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are good.
• Fair
  Vital signs (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, temperature) are stable and within normal limits. The patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are good.
• Serious
  Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.
• Critical
  Vital signs are unstable or not within normal limits. The patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
• Deceased
  Death has occurred. (Note: Community Hospital may disclose a patient's death as a general condition assessment, but may not give out the date, time, or cause of death without permission.)

Social Media
To follow the latest news and story ideas, follow Community Hospital on Facebook.

More Information
Visit our Banner Health news center for content specifically created to help media agencies and reporters such as corporate information, system news, photos, and additional contacts.