Media Relations

Release of Patient Information
 

To our patients and families

Overlake Medical Center & Clinics is committed to protecting your privacy and personal health information. Overlake’s release of patient information complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which limits disclosure of personal patient health information, even among hospital staff. As a result, Overlake’s media relations team members are limited in responding to media requests regarding our patients. See Washington Hospital Association’s Guide for Cooperation for additional information.

To reporters seeking patient information

In order to receive any information, reporters must ask about patients by name. If a reporter provides the patient’s name, Overlake typically can confirm the patient is under our care and may provide a standard condition report. Those conditions/terms are:

Undetermined: The patient is awaiting a physician and an assessment.

Treated and released: The patient has been treated in the emergency department and has been released from there. In this instance, “treated” is the condition and “released” is the location. Generally, this indicates the patient’s condition was satisfactory upon release.

Stabilized and transferred: The patient was stabilized at the hospital and has been transferred to another facility for further care. In this instance, “stabilized” is the condition and “transferred” is the location. This classification does not imply a patient condition; only that the patient is in another facility.

Satisfactory: Vital signs (heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, temperature) are stable and within normal limits. The patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are good.

Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.

Critical: Vital signs are unstable or not within normal limits. The patient may be unconscious. There is some doubt the patient will recover.

Deceased: The death of a patient may be reported to the authorities by Overlake, as required by law. Typically, a report will be made after efforts have been made to notify the next-of-kin. The death of a patient may also be reported to the media after the next-of-kin has been notified, as long as the patient’s body remains at Overlake.

Released: If a patient was admitted as an inpatient and has been released, and Overlake receives an inquiry about the patient by name, we may confirm that the patient is no longer in the hospital but cannot give the release date, admission date, length of stay or any other information.