Rhode Island Hospital
Online Newsroom
Patient Information Policy
Ellen Slingsby
Sr. Media Relations Officer
Telephone: 401-444-6421
Pager: 401-350-3358
eslingsby@lifespan.org
Jill Reuter
Media Relations Officer
Telephone: 401-444-6863
Pager: 401-350-5343
jreuter@lifespan.org
Main Number
401-444-5327
Call Center After Hours
401-793-2092 |
Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's Hospital is committed to
protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and their
medical information. The media relations staff provides patient
conditions in accordance with the American Hospital Association
guidelines contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA).
Procedure to Obtain a Patient's Condition
To inquire about a patient at Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children's
Hospital, journalists may contact the media relations staff.
- Journalists must have the patient's full name.
- Our staff can only provide one-word descriptions about 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.
- We will acknowledge the death of a patient only after next-of-kin
have been notified.
Definition of General Patient Conditions
- Undetermined:
Patient is awaiting physician and 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: Vital signs are
unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious.
Indicators are unfavorable.
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA), the condition "stable" is not used.
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