Is patient information considered public information?
A. No, it is not. Federal and state privacy laws strictly regulate the release of patient information and every patient has a right to refuse any information be released at any time. This is true for public figures as well as major public news stories (i.e., disaster). And it is left to each hospital’s policy to determine if they will routinely release legally allowable information to the press and the public. Our policy is to release the condition of a patient if (1) you inquire using the name of the patient and (2) the patient does not object to the release of this information. In order for us to release any additional information such as the type of injury, we must have specific written authorization from the patient. Of course, this means the patient must be conscious and agreeable for that to happen. It also takes considerable time to ensure we receive proper authorization and media works under time deadlines that may not be compatible. Q. Why do you release information on some pa
