Norman Regional Health System (NRHS) protects the confidentiality, integrity and security of protected health information (PHI) when releasing patient information to the media. When an inquiry using a patient’s first and last name is made, the patient’s condition is given in a general, one-word term. The patient’s location within the facility is not released. If the patient’s full name is not known by the caller, no information will be released. The patient condition list is as follows:
Good: vital signs are stable and within normal limits, patient is comfortable, indicators are excellent;
Fair: vital signs are stable and within normal limits, patient is uncomfortable, indicators are favorable;
Serious: vital signs may be unstable and outside 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; or
Deceased: patient has expired (next of kin is notified before this information is released.) If the death is subject to an investigation by the Oklahoma State Medical Examiners Office, inquires or requests for details must be referred to the medical examiners office.
PLEASE NOTE: At the request of NRHS administrators, the patient, the patient’s physician, or law enforcement, no information is released. NRHS will not release any information in the following situations: When the patient requests that NO information about him/her is released. When knowledge of a patient’s location within the hospital could result in embarrassment for the patient. When knowledge of a patient’s presence or location in the hospital could place the patient, hospital employees and/or medical staff in danger. When the patient is in custody of the state. When prohibited by other applicable federal laws. When in the judgment of the patient’s physician, the nursing staff or hospital official, an interview would aggravate a patient’s condition, or is inappropriate. For minors and other patients who are unable to consent: The parent or legal guardian of a minor patient has the right to request a restriction on the release of the patient’s information. When a patient cannot express a preference, because of his/her medical condition, information about his/her condition is released if NRHS administration determines that the release of information is in the best interest of the patient.