What is HIPAA?

On April 14, 2003, a new federal law went into effect that greatly limits the information that can be given on hospital patients, significantly changing the way we may have worked with reporters in the past.

The U.S. Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996 with the goal of protecting the privacy and security of patients’ health information. Hospitals, nursing homes, physician practices, medical and nursing schools, insurers and others now must comply with stringent new privacy requirements or face stiff financial and even criminal penalties.

Among HIPPA’s provisions are standards for releasing medical information about patients to the media. Hospitals now maintain a directory that includes only a patient's name, location in the hospital, general condition and religious affiliation. Patients have the choice to be included in the directory or to opt out. If a patient chooses to be listed in the directory, limited information on the patient may be released as long as a reporter has a patient’s correct first and last name. In addition, HIPPA does not allow the release of any information on a minor (under age 18), regardless if a name is supplied, without specific prior consent by the parent.

What can reporters expect?

If a reporter has the correct first and last name of a patient, and that patient has not opted out of the system, Strong Memorial Hospital can supply the reporter only with one of the following general conditions:

  • Under Evaluation
  • Treated and Released
  • Satisfactory
  • Guarded
  • Deceased

A reporter can obtain this information directly by calling the patient information directory line at 585/275-6517.

If a reporter does not ask for the patient by the correct full name, information cannot be released.

Conditions of patients in the emergency department generally will be available only when they have the opportunity to opt-in or out of the directory. Again, without a name, we are unable to release any information.

If you have questions about HIPAA, please contact the Public Relations office at 585/275-3676 or view HIPAA information on the American Hospital Association website.

 

HIPAA Information

HIPAA Information