All policies are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's (HIPAA) privacy rule and the American Hospital Association's Guidelines for Releasing Information on the Condition of Patients.  Guidelines are consistent throughout Grand View Hospital.

Information about the condition of an inpatient, outpatient or Emergency Department patient will be released only if the inquiry specifically contains the patient's name.

Patient conditions will be released according to the following approved one-word terms:

Definitions of Patient Conditions

• Undetermined: Patient is awaiting physician and/or 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.

Note: The term "stable" should not 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.

Public relations and marketing representatives will not release information about:

• Patients who request that no information be released.
• Patients who are involved in domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, child/elderly abuse, chemical dependency or attempted suicide.
• Patients in danger as determined by law enforcement officials.
• Patients who are under the age of 18, without a parent or legal guardian's written consent.
• Discharged patients who have not given written consent.