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Media guidelines
All media inquiries should be made to the Public Relations Department. Our experienced staff is familiar with the needs of the news media. Call us at 419-526-8583 to schedule interviews, get patient conditions or background information quickly and professionally.
Contact us
Non-media patient information calls: 419-526-8350
Public Relations Office main number: 419-526-8583
Cindy Jakubick, corporate director, public relations/marketing
419-526-8251
cindy@medcentral.org
Paige Perkeybile, public relations/marketing specialist
419-526-8584
pperkeybile@medcentral.org
Carrie Kemerer, public relations/marketing specialist
419-526-8998
ckemerer@medcentral.org
After hours
The Public Relations Department is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For routine patient condition reports after hours, please call the operator at one of our hospitals and ask for the house nursing supervisor to be paged:
Mansfield: 419-526-8000
Shelby: 419-342-5015
Patient information
Our first responsibility is the health and welfare of our patients. Federal and state laws, most notably the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), mandate that we have both a legal and ethical responsibility to preserve patient confidentiality.
HIPAA restricts the patient information we may release to the public, including the news media. Patients are listed in a directory, which includes the patient's name, condition and general location (ER, intensive care or a "regular" hospital room). Patients may choose to not be listed in the directory, in which case we may not provide any information - including even whether the person has been admitted into one of our facilities.
Unless the patient has chosen to not be listed in the directory, information about a particular patient may be shared with any person who asks for the patient by name.
We cannot release information, including condition, for cases involving chemical dependency or psychiatric treatment.
While HIPAA restricts the information health care providers may release, patients 18 or older or the patient's parents or legal guardian may choose to release their own personal information or consent to interviews, provided it does not interfere with medical treatment.
Patients' medical records are by law private and confidential. Medical records can only be released with the permission and written authorization of the patient, the patient's parents or legal guardian, or as required by law.
The general public can get information on patients in Mansfield Hospital by calling 419-526-8350, and in Shelby Hospital by calling 419-342-5015.
Patient conditions
We may release the following one-word descriptions of a patient's condition:
- Undetermined: Patient is being assessed.
- 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.
Access to our facilities
Media representatives must contact the Public Relations Department before visiting patients or staff for interviews or photos. The PR staff will coordinate the interview with the interview subject and with our security department.
Media representatives must be escorted by a MedCentral employee at all times within our facilities . During the interview, the PR representative will obtain written permission for photographs or interviews from the patient, parent or legal guardian.
We reserve the right to deny media access if we determine it might jeopardize patient care or privacy.
Public emergencies
In an emergency, such as dangerous weather, a major traffic accident, the loss of a critical utility or a hazardous waste spill, we will activate our "Command System." Media inquiries will still be handled through the Public Relations Department, and the media will be updated regularly on important information. Call the numbers above, or call 419-526-8000 and ask that someone from PR be paged.
Contacting physicians
It's important to note that most physicians on our medical staff are not employees of MedCentral Health System, and while they may practice at our facilities, most maintain private practices. They work with the media at their own discretion.
If you would like to interview a physician, we encourage you to call the Public Relations Department. We can suggest a physician either by specialty or individually, depending on the topic. We also can contact physicians to arrange the interview for you.
Media representatives can also contact physicians directly through their private practices, which are listed in our physicians directory. You can view the directory online by clicking here; or contact the
Public Relations Department for a printed directory.
"Boilerplate" information
Here is a short paragraph that describes MedCentral Health System:
MedCentral Health System is a Mansfield, Ohio-based independent, not-for-profit organization. Created Jan. 1, 1996, it is comprised of two general, acute care hospitals: Mansfield and Shelby, with a combined total of 351 beds and 44 bassinets. With about 2,500 employees, it is the largest employer in Mansfield and the second largest in the six-county area it serves. Its active medical staff numbers over 200, representing a complete range of primary care and specialty practices. The system offers complete cardiac care, comprehensive neurological services, a walk-in medical center and industrial health and safety services. More information is available on the Internet at www.medcentral.org.
Our corporate name
We know you want to accurately report the name of our organization and our service lines, so here are some guidelines to help:
MedCentral Health System is singular - never use "systems." "MedCentral" is acceptable on second reference, but the name is never abbreviated as "MC" or "MCHS." Our hospitals are named in the following style: "MedCentral Health System, Mansfield Hospital." It may be shortened to MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital. On second reference, "Mansfield Hospital," or "MedCentral/Mansfield" are acceptable.
Our service lines with formal names - the Health & Fitness Center, Rapid Response, WorkAble, etc. - are preceded by "MedCentral" on first reference.
Logo usage
Here are some guidelines for displaying our logo:
- The logo consists of both the "four Ms" symbol and the words, "MedCentral Health System" - rarely do the four Ms appear alone.
- The logo should be printed only in black, white or PMS 300 blue.
- Be careful when changing the size of the logo; it must remain the same proportions.
Contact the MedCentral Health System Public Relations Department if you have questions.
Last updated January 19, 2012 |