Aquiring a Patient Condition Report

All inquiries for information about a patient at any Phoebe facility, must be directed to the PR/Marketing department. A patient condition report may be obtained by contacting the PR/Marketing department at 229-312-7106.

Information that can be released:

The hospital may release patient condition and location information only if the patient has not stated that he or she does not want information released, including information confirming his or her presence in the hospital. The patient's general condition may be released only if the inquiring person identifies the patient by name and correct spelling of the name, and if the patient is listed in our patient directory. Only a one-word condition may be released: undetermined, good, fair, serious or critical.

Information that cannot be released:

Information or identity of sexual assault victims, suspected domestic violence victims, psychiatric, drug or alcohol abuse patients will not be released. No information concerning prisoners will be released.

The death of a patient may be reported to the authorities by the hospital, as required by law. Under HIPAA, hospitals cannot share information with the media on the specifics about sudden, violent or accidental deaths, or deaths from natural causes without the permission of the decendent's next-of-kin or other legal representative. No information concerning date or time of death of any patient will be released.  

Release of any medical information beyond the one-word condition, including interviews and photographs with the patient or medical staff, requires written authorization by the patient or patient's legal representative.

Patient Conditions

Below are five one-word conditions approved by the American Hospital Association:

• Undetermined - Patient is awaiting physician and/or 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.

If a patient is treated and released - If a patient has not specified that no information may be released, the hospital may disclose that a patient was treated and released. However, without patient authorization, no information will be shared with the media regarding the date of release or where the patient went upon release.

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information. HIPAA regulations govern which information may and may not be released without authorization from the patient. For all media inquiries, please contact the Phoebe Public Relations/Marketing department at 229-312-7106.