Media

Blanchard Valley Health System values the importance of a collaborative relationship with the media. In order to help you meet requests in a timely manner, please refer to the following information regarding the health system’s policies on media and the release of patient information.

All media inquiries must be directed to Corporate Public Relations & Marketing at 419.423.5510. This includes requests to interview Blanchard Valley patients, physicians and associates, and access to Blanchard Valley facilities.

All patient condition inquiries must be directed to the BVHS operator at
419.423.4500.

Requesting a Patient Interview

The needs of our patients are given first priority. To ensure their comfort and privacy, we abide by strict federal laws and policies regarding patient interviews. While interviews are permitted, some patients may be inaccessible due to clinical condition, physician’s discretion or their own desires. Corporate Public Relations & Marketing will be in contact with you regarding the status of the interview request as we work with our clinicians to determine if a patient is available for an interview.

If a patient interview is approved, Corporate Public Relations & Marketing will give you further instructions on how to proceed. A Blanchard Valley Health System associate must be present during all interviews and photo opportunities.

Requesting an Interview with a BVHS Physician or Associate

We are proud to serve our community with a wide array of experts within many specific medical disciplines. If you are interested in interviewing a Blanchard Valley physician or associate for a news story or other public engagement, Corporate Public Relations & Marketing can connect you to the appropriate source. For a list of available topics, click here.

While we will do our best to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee availability for any of our physicians or associates. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure all of our patients receive exceptional care.

Facility Access

Permission must be obtained before a visit is made to any property owned by Blanchard Valley Health System. To protect our patients’ privacy and confidentiality, and to ensure safety, access to some areas is restricted. Please contact Corporate Public Relations & Marketing for more information and to request permission for access.  

Patient Condition Updates

All patients are protected by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) in addition to other federal and state laws and health system policies that strictly limit the release of patients’ medical information. Patient condition updates will only be available if the patient has signed a consent form allowing his or her name and condition to be included in the hospital directory. Otherwise, if a patient has not given this consent or is no longer in our care, we will have no information about his or her condition.

In accordance with American Hospital Association guidelines, condition updates are given via a one-word classification:

• Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits; the patient is conscious and comfortable and all indicators are excellent.
• Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits; the patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable and indicators are favorable.
• Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits; the patient is acutely ill and indicators are questionable.
• Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits; the patient may be unconscious, and indicators are unfavorable.

When calling about a condition update, please have the patient’s full and properly-spelled name available for the BVHS associate who assists you.