Media Policies

To best serve our patients and to assist the media, Baptist Health adheres to the following policies:

Patient Consent

Media wishing to interview, film or record a Baptist Health patient may only do so with written consent and with a representative from the Marketing Department present. Media may be asked to discontinue taping if the clinician or patient deems it necessary.

Visiting Baptist Health

All media representatives must be escorted while at Baptist Health. To schedule a visit, please call 270.825.5787.

HIPAA and patient condition reports

Baptist Health strictly abides by federal medical privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA is designed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of patient information.

Information that can be released:

Authorized personnel can share the following information if the patient has agreed to be listed in the hospital directory: name, condition in general terms, location in the hospital, and if the patient has been treated and released.

Condition terms:

• 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.