OCH News
Supporting Kids’ Mental Health During Summer
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to focus on nurturing your child’s emotional well-being as the school year comes to a close. While summer offers a welcome break and plenty of fun, the lack of routine can also present mental health challenges for kids....
Media Inquiries
All media inquiries should be directed to:
Alexandra O’Dell
Media Relations Manager
E-mail: aodell@ochonline.com
Natalie Taylor-Moore
Director of Business Development
E-mail: ntaylor-moore@ochonline.com
Scott Taylor
Hospital Administrator
E-mail: staylor@ochonline.com
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.
Noticing Changes? Why It’s Important to Check In with Your Mental Health Team.
During Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we’re taking time to recognize how unique each person’s experience is, and how important it is to stay informed, proactive, and engaged in your own care. We sat down with OCH’s Gregory Forrester, MNSc, PMHNP-BC, to...
Managing Asthma and Allergies: Breathe Easier This Season
As allergy season sets in, many people feel the usual signs—sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes. But for individuals with asthma, these seasonal changes can lead to more serious respiratory issues. We spoke with our Cardiopulmonary Team at OCH about how allergy season...
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...
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...
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.