Hasbro Children's Hospital
Online Newsroom

Ellen Slingsby
Sr. Media Relations Officer
Telephone: 401-444-6421
Pager: 401-350-3358
eslingsby@lifespan.org

Jill Reuter
Media Relations Officer

Telephone: 401-444-6863
Pager: 401-350-5343
jreuter@lifespan.org

Main Number
401-444-5327

Call Center After Hours
401-793-2092

Patient Information Policy

Hasbro Children's Hospital is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and their medical information. The media relations staff provides patient conditions in accordance with the American Hospital Association guidelines contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Procedure to Obtain a Patient's Condition

To inquire about a patient at Hasbro Children's Hospital, journalists may contact the media relations staff.

  • Journalists must have the patient's full name.

  • Our staff can only provide one-word descriptions about a patient's general condition
  • The release of any medical information beyond a one-word condition requires written authorization by the patient or the patient's legal representative.

  • We will acknowledge the death of a patient only after next-of-kin have been notified.
Definition of General Patient Conditions
  • Undetermined: Patient is awaiting physician and assessment.

  • 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.

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the condition "stable" is not used.