OCH News
Conquer Allergy Season
Conquer Allergy Season: Tips and Tricks for Year-Round ReliefDo you find yourself sniffling and sneezing all year round, plagued by allergies that just won't quit? You're not alone. We sat down with OCH’s very own Dr. Robert McDonald, to learn some helpful tips and...
Media Inquiries
All media inquiries should be directed to:
Natalie Taylor-Moore
Director of Business Development
E-mail: [email protected]
Scott Taylor
Hospital Administrator
E-mail: [email protected]
Please review the Media Policies for OCH Health System. Take a look at our OCH Media Kit, and be sure to check out our Facebook page, or read our latest blog entry. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Black History Month
As Black History Month ends, we want to share how Ozarks Community Hospital is listening to the voices of our patients and staff to make our hospital and clinics a place of equity for all.EQUALITY means each individual or group is given the same resources or...
OCH Provider Spotlight: Tiffany Kirk, FNP
Tiffany Kirk, FNP receives recognition from the Webster County Health Department! At Ozarks Community Hospital, we’re thrilled when our providers are recognized within the communities that they serve. It shows how dedicated they are to their work and to the people...
OCH Celebrates 2022 Doctors’ Day
March 30 is National Doctors’ Day. Let’s thank a doctor today! On this day each year, the nation celebrates physicians and the incredible work that they do for patients every single day. These past few years have heightened the awareness of the astonishing work that...
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
#EveryoneIncluded International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is a United Nations day that is celebrated every year on December 3rd. First launched in 1992, the event is in its 29th year of celebration, marking nearly three decades of meaningful change for...
A Message from our CEO, Paul Taylor
Thanksgiving 2021 I will begin with the cliché: it is time to give thanks. I speak for the OCH organization when I say we have plenty to be thankful for. Whenever I hear that phrase, I cannot help but hear Bing Crosby singing the words in the film, Holiday Inn. In the...
National Native American Heritage Month
November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, tradition, and histories and to acknowledge the...
Media Policies
As a healthcare organization, it is our first priority to protect our patient’s health, legal rights and welfare. Our hospital cannot release any patient information to the media unless the patient has consented. We require all patients to sign a consent form before being interviewed or photographed by the news media or an in-house video/photographer. To request an interview, please contact Natalie Taylor-Moore, Director of Business Development.
Media Guidelines
On-duty reporters/photographers are not permitted in Ozarks Community Hospital without the permission of our Communications Department. Upon entering, media representatives must immediately report to Admissions or Administration and ask for Samantha Bower, Communications & Content Specialist. Reporters and photographers are expected to wear proper identification including an “OCH Media Badge” while at Ozarks Community Hospital. Reporters and photographers who are not accompanied by a member of the OCH Communications Department will be immediately escorted from the building.
Videotaping and interviewing without the department’s involvement is only permitted off the hospital campus (outside the hospital buildings and beyond hospital property from the street). Reporters and photographers will be asked to leave the premises if found to be interfering with patients and hospital business.
News vehicles may not park in fire lanes or block hospital driveways.
Patient Condition
Under HIPAA law, the OCH Communications Department may only release a one-word patient condition without signed consent (granted the reporter/photographer already has the patient’s first and last name and the patient’s family has consented). Below are the hospital conditions as listed by HIPAA:
Undetermined – Patient awaiting physician and/or assessment.
Good – Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
Satisfactory – 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.
Additional Restrictions
The law prohibits the Communications Department from releasing any information regarding patients listed as “protective status.” In addition, information will not be provided in instances where the safety and security of a patient and/or hospital staff may be jeopardized.
No information relating to psychiatric conditions, substances abuse or sensitive circumstances will be released.
Ozarks Community Hospital may provide identifying information in relation to a deceased patient after next-of-kin has been notified, unless the patient previously opted out of this release.