At Grinnell Regional Medical Center, our primary obligation and responsibility are to the patient. We will maintain full cooperation with news media without compromising the welfare and privacy of the patient.

Interviews and photography:

To request an interview with a patient, patient family member, GRMC staff or volunteer, contact:

• Denise Lamphier, director of public relations, 641-236-2589 or 641-990-9979
• Jeanette Budding, assistant director, 641-236-2590
• Laura Lof, marketing specialist, 641-236-2954
• If you are unable to reach anyone, please call the main switchboard, 641-236-7511, and ask the operator to page one of these staff members.

All interviews must be scheduled in advance. Photographs will be taken only with the written consent of the patient or their responsible party. Patient interviews and/or photography may also require physician or administration approval.

All media are required to be accompanied by a member of the public relations department while on GRMC property to protect the privacy of our patients and their families.

Patient condition inquiries:

For patient condition reports, please call the public relations office.

• Denise Lamphier, director of public relations, 641-236-2589 or 641-990-9979
• Jeanette Budding, assistant director, 641-236-2590
• Laura Lof, marketing specialist, 641-236-2954
• If you are unable to reach anyone, please call the main switchboard, 641- 236-7511, and ask the operator to page one of these staff members.

Patients admitted to the hospital are asked to designate whether they wish release of information related to their admission. If they do not give permission to release this information, GRMC will not release their name or condition in any manner.

All patient condition inquiries must have the patient’s name.

If a patient signs the release of information, we will provide the following conditions only:

Undetermined: Patient awaiting physician and 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 be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.

Treated and released: Received treatment but not admitted.

Treated and transferred:  Received treatment. Transferred to a different facility.

(Without patient authorization, GRMC may not release information regarding date of release or where the patient went after release or transfer.)

Emergency/Crisis Communications:

GRMC is responsible for protecting the privacy of our patients and patient information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 mandated regulations that govern privacy standards for healthcare information. These regulations specify the purposes for which information may and may not be released without authorization from the patient.

In the event of a community disaster or mass casualty incident, every opportunity will be taken to maintain good communication with the media. If warranted, GRMC will implement an incident command system. At such time, a Media and Information Center will be opened at a location determined at the time and depending on the situation. During the incident command, the public relations director serves as the public information officer (PIO).

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations are still applied in an emergency or crisis situation such as a community disaster or a mass casualty incident and the privacy of the patient will be protected to the fullest extent possible.