This from Amanda Nageleisen, Director of Media Relations, U.C. Health, following today’s press conference with the mayor and the Cincinnati health systems:
CINCINNATI, OH – I’m getting lots of questions, so I wanted to share a few quick operational updates regarding UC Health & coronavirus/COVID-19.
- NEWS & INFO: We have launched a webpage with information for the public about the novel coronavirus & how patients and community members can interact with UC Health. Any updates regarding the operations of UC Health would be shared on this webpage and/or our social media channels: https://www.uchealth.com/en/covid-19
- VISITORS: We have implemented the following visitor restrictions, which also apply to members of the news media conducting interviews at UC Health.
At this time, to protect our patients and employees and help prevent the spread of respiratory illness, guests are NOT ALLOWED in inpatient areas or waiting rooms if they are under 14 years of age, exhibit respiratory illness symptoms (fever, body aches/head aches, cough/sore throat, runny/stuffy nose), and/or have traveled internationally within the last 14 days.
- INTERVIEWS: A quick reminder about our interview policies: to protect the privacy of our patients, visitors and employees, we DO NOT allow members of the news media to visit UC Health facilities without prior approval by me and without being accompanied by a media escort. To help you access our team, we provide a 24/7 media hotline: 513-503-3368. Please put this number in your phone if you haven’t already, and call us anytime. We can also help arrange interviews with our faculty experts and specialists.
- HIPAA: Please remember that the requirements of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) remain in effect, even during a public health emergency. HIPAA does not permit me to disclose any protected health information about a patient without that patient’s written authorization. Regarding patient conditions, I am unable to even check on the status of a patient or potential patient unless I am provided with the patient’s name. Patients always have the opportunity to opt out of being including in our hospital directory. I am also unable to respond to speculation or rumors.
