OCH News
Step Into Foot Health
Step Into Foot Health: Why Taking Care of Your Feet Matters Our feet are the foundation of our bodies, carrying us through life every day, and yet they’re often overlooked when it comes to overall health and wellness. Good foot health supports mobility, prevents...
Media Inquiries
All media inquiries should be directed to:
Alexandra O’Dell
Media Relations Manager
E-mail: [email protected]
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 Ozarks Community Hospital. 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.
How Your Primary Care Provider Can Help with Allergies
How Your Primary Care Provider Can Help with Allergies—and When to See an ENT Spring is in the air, and so is pollen, dust, and other allergens that can leave you feeling miserable. If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you may be wondering what your...
Keeping Athletes in the Game
Tips to Protect Muscles and Joints from Sports Medicine Expert Dr. Brandon Morris For athletes and active individuals, staying in top physical condition is key to performing well and avoiding injuries. We recently spoke with Brandon Morris, MD, an orthopedic surgeon...
Celebrating National Nutrition Month
Nutrition in Rural Communities March is National Nutrition Month, the perfect time to highlight the importance of healthy eating and its impact on overall well-being. While maintaining a balanced diet can be a challenge for many, rural communities often face...
Making the Most of Spring Break: A Stress-Free Guide for Parents
Spring break often brings excitement for children, but for parents, it can come with a different set of emotions, especially when comparing plans with other families or friends. The pressure to create a memorable experience can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety,...
OCH Celebrates 25 Years
Celebrating 25 Years of Compassionate Care This year marks a significant milestone for Ozarks Community Hospital (OCH), as we proudly celebrate 25 years of serving the Ozark regions in both Arkansas and Missouri. Headquartered in Gravette, Arkansas, OCH is a bi-state...
The Importance of Preventative Care
New Year, New Focus on Your Health As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to commit to preventative care as part of your resolutions for a healthier life. Preventative care encompasses regular check-ups, screenings, immunizations, and lifestyle adjustments that...
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.