It is our policy to cooperate fully with media representatives and to accommodate to the extent possible their needs with recognition of deadline pressures, while respecting the privacy considerations of patients, their families and their physicians.

We respond to hundreds of media requests each year from local, regional, national and international media organizations. The following guidelines will assist members of the media in arranging for interviews, videotaping, and photo opportunities:
 

• Please call Public Relations to arrange an interview with any member of Halifax Community Health System (HCHS). All media requests must be coordinated through Public Relations. This includes the facilities, programs and services of Halifax Medical Center, Florida Health Care Plans, Healthy Communities, Hospice of Volusia/Flagler and Volusia Health Network.

• To arrange interviews, videotaping or photographs at, or with any HCHS member, facilities, program or service, call 386-254-4224.

• Reporters must identify staff by their HCHS title in stories related to the staff member’s work or role at HCHS.

• Advance notice of on-site interviews is required. Public Relations staff must obtain consent from appropriate patients and their families, notify staff in business and/or patient care areas involved, and arrange for space if needed. Public Relations staff must accompany members of the media on campus at all times.

Public Relations staff must accompany all reporters, videographers, photographers and film crews on campus to ensure appropriate levels of confidentiality, privacy and sensitivity are maintained for patients and their families. For directions to, and information about the designated Media Area on campus, click here.

Obtaining Patient Condition

• A reporter must be able to provide the patient’s name to obtain the patient’s condition.

• Monday through Friday (normal business hours) - contact the Public Relations Staff at Halifax Medical Center (386-254-4224)

• After-Hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) - call the main number at Halifax Medical Center (386-254-4000). Please identify yourself to the operator as a member of the media and ask to speak to the Nursing Supervisor On-Call.

• Vital signs are stable and within normal limits.

• Patient is conscious and comfortable.

• Indicators are good.

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 not be conscious.

• Indicators are unfavorable.

This direct dial phone line has a recorded message and is activated on an as needed basis. It allows Public Relations Staff to provide timely information to a high volume of callers.