News

Media Inquiries on Patient Information

Baystate Health’s first priority is protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and their medical information. Public relations staff members may provide a one-word patient condition to the media in accordance with the American Hospital Association guidelines contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The following guidelines apply to Baystate Health’s five hospitals, which include Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Children’s Hospital, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Noble Hospital and Baystate Wing Hospital.

How Media May Obtain a Patient's Condition

To inquire about a patient at Baystate Medical Center, members of the media should contact the main public relations line at 413-794-7626. After hours, call 413-794-0000 and ask the operator to page the on-call public relations staff member.

Please note:

• Media must provide the patient’s full name.
• Staff will only give a one-word description of a patient’s general condition.
• The release of any medical information beyond a one-word condition requires written authorization by the patient or the patient’s legal representative.
• The death of a patient will be acknowledged only after next-of-kin have been notified.
• In the event of a large-scale disaster, we will attempt to provide aggregate information about patients brought to the hospital.

Patient Condition Definitions

• Undetermined: Patient is awaiting physician 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: Vitals are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
• Treated and Released: This could mean the patient was sent home or to another facility.

Please note, "stable" is not a recognized condition, according to HIPAA guidelines.

Heather Duggan

Manager of Public Relations
heather.duggan@baystatehealth.org
413-794-7656 (office)
413-244-0349 (cell)

Anita Fritz

Sr. Specialist, Public Affairs and Community Relations
anita.fritz@baystatehealth.org
413-772-9591 (office)

Michelle Holmgren

Manager of Public Affairs & Community Relations
michelle.holmgren@baystatehealth.org
413-967-2296 (office)
413-237-6743 (cell)

Maura Tobias

Specialist, Public Affairs & Community Relations
maura.tobias@baystatehealth.org
413-571-0184 (office)
413-575-5397 (cell)