GUIDELINES

The following guidelines are provided for the news media:

University Hospital's Public Relations Office is responsible for handling inquiries from the news media. Weekdays during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., news media representatives are to call the Office of Public Relations at (501) 686-8149.

For non-routine media inquiries and/or requests before or after normal business hours, the hospital's public relations liaison on call is to be paged at (501) 395-5989.

Routine media requests (such as a report on a patient's condition) received before or after normal business hours and on weekends and holidays are to be referred to the assistant director of nursing at (501) 686-7000.

When the patient's name is provided, the hospital will release only a one-word description concerning the condition of the patient. Following are the standard definitions of patient conditions for news:

Undetermined — Patient is involved in a procedure and/or awaiting assessment.

Good - Vital signs (pulse, temperature blood pressure and respiration) are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable.

Fair - Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be experiencing some discomfort.

Serious - Vital signs may be unstable. Patient is in an acute condition. Prognosis is guarded.

Critical - Vital signs are unstable. There are major complications. Prognosis is guarded.

In the event of a patient's death, after the next-of-kin has been notified, the date and approximate time of death, if available, may be reported.

PATIENT PRIVACY RIGHTS

To protect patients' privacy rights, the Hospital's Release of Information Policy includes a "no information" provision. A patient, authorized family member, law enforcement officer or member of hospital administration has the option to refuse that any information — including confirmation of the patient's presence — be released. This means that no information, including acknowledgment of the patient's presence, shall be released to the public or the media. Under special circumstances, determined by the hospital, a designated hospital representative or the public relations liaison will release information on a patient's condition as authorized by the patient or an authorized family member.

MEDIA

HOSPITAL

To assist the hospital staff in responding to media requests in a prompt and effective manner, your support is requested in recognizing the following procedure(s):

The hospital's public relations liaison is to be notified in advance of media requests for interviews with patients, employees and visitors.

News media representatives must always obtain prior permission from the Office of Public Relations before performing their duties on campus.

A University Hospital public relations liaison will work with media representatives and accompany them to the areas that are appropriate and convenient for news coverage.

Upon arrival at University Hospital, news media representatives will go directly to the prearranged location or the Office of Public Relations in the Hospital Administration suite.

CLINICS

This policy applies to any and all medical clinics and centers associated with UAMS Medical Center. However, to expedite response, initial media inquiries and/or requests involving the following departments may be forwarded to the departments and their media representatives:

UAMS University Relations (education and research), (501) 686-5686.

Jones Eye Institute, (501) 686-5150.

Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging, (501) 296-1000.

Arkansas Cancer Research Center, (501) 686-6000.

It serves UAMS Medical Center and its mission to respond to media inquiries in a timely and appropriate manner; thus, it is the responsibility of UAMS Medical Center to support efforts by the public relations staff to obtain relevant and appropriate information necessary to respond to media inquiries.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

MEDIA POLICY

The mission of University Hospital of Arkansas is to provide patient-centered, cost- effective care through a healthcare system enriched by and committed to education and research.

While doing so, we understand and respect the needs of the news media to report accurate and responsible news. We strive to assist news media efforts in the reporting of legitimate news and value a mutually beneficial and cooperative relationship with the news media. However, the health, well-being and privacy of our patients and their families remain our priority.

Information about the hospital and its departments may be released by the Office of Public Relations with appropriate administrative authorization. For these reasons, UAMS Medical Center has established guidelines for the news media. They are reviewed in this brochure.