Media Guidelines

Downloadable media guidelines PDF>>

Nov. 18, 2011

Dear member of the media, Hospitals and media representatives in Colorado have a long history of working cooperatively to share positive medical stories and timely, accurate information about hospitalized patients. On behalf of the 95 members of the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA), I would like to take a moment to remind media representatives of the important legal obligations of hospitals to protect the personal and medical privacy of patients and their families at times of great vulnerability.

The attached media guidelines were first created in 2003 by CHA and a group of hospital public information officers (PIOs) representing hospitals and health facilities across the state. The guidelines were most recently revised in the fall of 2011 and were subsequently reviewed and approved by CHA member PIOs and legal counsels. The purpose of the guidelines is educational, and we hope they will generate productive dialogue between journalists and hospital PIOs moving forward.

Hospitals in Colorado have policies that require reporters to notify the public information office before speaking with patients or families in the hospital or entering the hospital for interviews. These policies protect the reporter and/or photographer as well as the patient and/or family for a variety of reasons. We encourage you to review the guidelines in full.

Additionally, I would like to invite reporters, editors and producers to meet with CHA and hospital PIOs to collaboratively discuss the best ways for media representatives and PIOs to work together. CHA and hospital PIOs are available to meet with individuals or small groups at your facility and at your convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Julian Kesner
Vice President, Communications and Media Relations
Colorado Hospital Association

On behalf of the 95 CHA member hospitals and health systems