OCH News
A Focus on Women’s Health and Wellbeing: 10 Big Ideas
A Focus on Women’s Health and Wellbeing: 10 Big Ideas By Dr. Coral Couchenour, Family Medicine Physician My name is Dr. Coral Couchenour, and I’m a family practice physician working in a rural health clinic in Anderson, Missouri. Over the years, through both my...
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.
Speech & Language Milestones: What’s Typical and When to Seek Help
Speech & Language Milestones: What’s Typical and When to Seek Help Every child develops at their own pace, but knowing general speech and language milestones helps parents recognize what’s typical, and when extra support may help. Understanding these...
The Exhaustion of Parenthood: We’re Not Crazy – We’re Just Tired
The Exhaustion of Parenthood Is More Than Just Lack of Sleep Parenting is joyful, meaningful, and completely exhausting. Whether you’re caring for a newborn or navigating teenage mood swings, the demands are constant. And while sleep loss is a big part of fatigue,...
The Many Faces of PTSD: It’s Not Just a Veteran’s Story
When people think about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the image that often comes to mind is a combat veteran haunted by war. And while many veterans do live with the effects of PTSD, they are far from the only ones who struggle with this mental health...
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....
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...
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 Alexandra O’Dell, Public Relations Manager. 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.