Privacy regulations issued by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) strictly govern the use and release of a patient's personal health information. If you're a member of the media and want information about a patient at a Banner Health hospital, here's what to know:

• You need to have the patient's first and last name before we can release his or her condition. Without a name, condition reports can't be released.
• If you have the patient's first and last name, the only information that can be released to a member of the media is a one-word condition report – unless the hospital media relations representative receives consent from the patient or, if the patient is under 18 years of age, the patient's parent or guardian.
• Patients have the right to deny any information be released about their condition – even that one-word condition report. In the case of a minors, the parent or guardian has the authority to make that decision.

• Undetermined: Patient awaiting physician 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 may be 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 not be conscious; indicators are unfavorable.
• Treated and released: Received treatment but not admitted.
• Deceased

• If you need to get in touch with a media relations representative after hours, call the hospital's switchboard. The operator will page the media relations person.
• If you want to interview one of our doctors, staff or patients, please give us a call. We'll be happy to help, and often times, we can provide you with additional information, patients and families, or more appropriate stories.
• If you want to do an interview on-site at one of our hospitals or clinics, give us a call in advance so we can let security know you're coming, find a room for you to do the interview in, and find appropriate patients and staff for you to talk to.