Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, (HIPAA), a hospital is permitted to release only directory information, such as the patient’s one-word condition and location to reporters who inquire about the patient by name unless the patient has requested that information be withheld.

• The hospital has a responsibility to tell patients what information will be included in the hospital directory and to whom that information will be disclosed.
  
• The patient has the option and the right to expressly state that he or she does not want information released – including confirmation of his or her presence in the facility.
• All patient inquiries must include the patient’s name.
• As long as the patient has not requested that information be withheld, we will release the patient’s one-word medical condition or will inform of their release or transfer.
• At no time should media contact the patient directly if they are still a patient of GRMC. If media would like to interview or photograph the patient, they must make a request for this through a public relations staff person. This requires written patient authorization and may also require physician authorization. GRMC administration may deny media access to the patient if it is determined that the presence of photographers or reporters would aggravate the patient’s condition, or interfere with patient care.
  

Matters of Public Record

Patients who are involved in matters of public record have the same privacy rights as all other patients, as far as the hospital is concerned. The fact that someone has been transported to the hospital by a police or fire department from an accident, crime scene, or fire is a matter of public record likely to be reported by those agencies. As long as the patient has not requested withholding information, the hospital will release a one-word condition report.