Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Press Room

The Marketing and Communications Department at Confluence Health is the official contact for all media requests. Media relations services include corporate interviews, quotes from medical experts, requests for patient interviews, photography coordination, and provision of press releases and media materials.

View all press releases.

View all news stories.

Media Materials

Contact Information

Please do not use this media contact information for sales inquiries.

Adam MacDonald
Corporate Communications Program Manager
Email: adam.macdonald@confluencehealth.org

Requests for Interviews and Photographs

Please contact our media representative listed above to conduct an interview or take photographs at Confluence Health. Members of the news media must be accompanied at all times while on medical center grounds.

Experts Available

Confluence Health has experts who are available to speak about medical topics, scientific and clinical research, health issues and programs. Please call our media relations manager for assistance.

Release of Patient Information

Not only is patient confidentiality/privacy a commitment to our patients, but it is required by law under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Information about the condition of a patient may be released only if the inquiry specifically contains the patient’s first and last name. A patient, or the person authorized to give consent, can opt out of providing information altogether. Please read the Washington State Hospital Association Guide for Cooperation for an explanation of the terms that are used to describe patient conditions and injuries, and for information about the federal laws that govern hospitals’ release of patient information to the media.

Our first priority is always the safety and privacy of our patients and their families. With that in mind, we strictly enforce HIPAA laws that limit the amount of patient information we may release without written consent from a patient or patient representative.

We cannot elaborate on a patient’s injuries, illness or prognosis without specific written consent by the patient or the patient’s family. This would be done only under limited circumstances involving public officials, celebrities or others whose stories are of extraordinary public interest. When asking for a patient’s condition update, you must first provide the media representative with the patient’s full name.

We use standard language acceptable under HIPAA laws and Washington State Hospital Association guidelines to describe patient conditions:

  • Undetermined: Patient is awaiting physician and/or assessment.
  • Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
  • 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 be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
  • Treated and Released: This could mean the patient was sent home or to another facility.
  • Confirming Patient Deaths: We will report or confirm a patient’s death only after signed consent from next of kin.
Related Locations