DCH Health System Media Center
Welcome to the DCH Health System's online media center. Click on any of the links below find out contact information, media guidelines for patient information and access, as well as answers to some of the most common questions about hospital policy regarding the release of patient information.
DCH Marketing/Communication Department Contacts
Media Requests:
dchmediarequests@dchsystem.com
Department Email:
info@dchsystem.com
After regular business hours:
For condition reports at DCH Regional Medical Center, call the Main Switchboard,
(205) 759-7111. (Ask for Nursing Supervisor on call.)
For condition reports at Northport Medical center, call
(205) 333-4500. (Ask for Nursing Supervisor on call.)
Patient Condition Report
The patient has the option to expressly state that he or she does not want
any information, including confirmation of his or her presence in the
facility, released. Any information that may embarrass a patient will
not be released. Where knowledge of a patient's location may potentially
endanger them (i.e., a stalker or abusive partner), no information of
any kind will be provided, including confirmation of the patient's presence
at our facility.
Only a physician can determine the patient's diagnosis and/or prognosis.
The following one-word conditions will be released to the media. No other
information will be provided without the patient's permission.
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 be
unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
The term "stable" should never be used as a condition. Furthermore,
this term should not be used in combination with other conditions, which,
by definition, often indicate a patient is unstable.
All policies are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act'sprivacy rule and the American Hospital Association's "Guide for the
Release of Information on the Condition of Patients."
On-Campus Interviews
- DCH's Marketing/Communication Department must approve requests for interviews and/or the taking of photographs/videos of patients, physicians or employees at any DCH facility before they are scheduled so that we can coordinate your visit.
- By law, the patient or his/her legal representative must consent in writing to be interviewed, photographed, or videoed by the media.
- DCH's Marketing/Communication Department must approve requests for the taking of photographs/videos at DCH for commercial or student projects.
- A member of the Marketing/Communication Department must accompany news media representatives or commercial or student photographers/videographers at all times while on a DCH campus.