Patient Condition Updates:
Media inquires regarding patient condition updates should call 519-667-6760 during regular business hours (Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
After hours, call the LHSC switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to have the Communication Consultant on-call paged.
Patient Information & Patient Access
- LHSC's first priority is patients. Information about our patients is private and confidential, unless it has been authorized to be released to the media by the patient, the patient's family, or the patient's substitute decision maker.
- If the media wishes to interview one of our patients, and/or photograph, videotape, film, or audiotape a patient, signed patient consent must first be obtained by the Corporate Communications & Public Relations Department and on-site interviews must be escorted by a Corporate Communications team member.
- The hospital will not provide any patient information when doing so:
- violates or appears to violate a law;
- interferes with a police investigation or the function of a court;
- is likely to have an adverse effect on the patient in the judgement of a physician, or other health-care professional involved in the direct care of the patient;
- has been requested by the patient or family.
Patient Condition Descriptions:
A one-word condition update will be provided to media if the patient name is given (LHSC will not release patient names.)
Only the following terms will be used to describe a patient's condition:
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 and comfortable. Indicators are favourable.
SERIOUS
Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavourable.
CRITICAL
Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. There are major complications, and indications are unfavourable. Death may be imminent.
DEAD
This information will only be disclosed after the nursing staff has confirmed that the patient's family or substitute decision maker has been informed of the patient's death.
DISCHARGED
Media may be informed of the discharge of a patient whose case has been a matter of public record. Only the word discharged will be given to the media. No other information, including the date of discharge will be given.
