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Howard University Hospital Media Policy

Howard University Hospital welcomes the media however there has been a set of guidelines
established that must be followed in regards to requesting patient information and shooting of
photography or videos on the property. We are very stern on protecting the privacy of the
patients.

-If you would like to arrange an interview with a patient, patient family member, hospital
personnel, or physicians you must contact the Office of Media Relations in advance. All patients,
patients family members, hospital personnel and physicians must sign a consent form before
the media will be allowed to interview or shooting photographs or videos. To protect the privacy
of other patients and staff members, once the media is on the property they will be
accompanied by a member of the Office of Media Relations designated by the Office of Media
Relations to ensure all guidelines are being followed.

-All media staff members must be approved by the Office of Media Relations and will be
accompanied by a member of the Office of Media Relations designated by the Office of Media
Relations. Any media found entering the premises without clearance or an accompany staff
member from Office of Media Relations will be ask to leave the hospital. If the media is
contacted by the patient or patients family members, the media must immediately contact the
Office of Media Relations. Please note that the Office of Media Relations can still deny the
media access if the interview will interfere with care or risk the safety of the patient, other
patients, visitors or hospital personnel.

-In regards to condition of the patient, Howard University Hospital is only allowed to provide a
one-word condition in respect of the patients privacy. The following conditions are approved by
the American Hospital Association:

1. Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and
comfortable; indicators are excellent.
2. Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may
be uncomfortable; indicators are favorable.
3. Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may not be
conscious; indicators are unfavorable.
4. Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is
acutely ill; indicators are questionable.
5. Undetermined: Patient is awaiting physician and/or assessment.
6. Deceased: May only be released after next of kin or personal representative has
been notified, no additional information about the cause or time of death may be
released.

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