News Media in Hospitals

News Media in Hospitals There may come a time that a hospital will have media exposure. There are several reasons that a news station may have an interest in working within the hospital setting, and hospital policy will dictate the level of cooperation hospital employees will have with the media. Recently there have been actresses and politicians followed closely as they were hospitalized. Anytime the reporters would give an update, they would say “according to a hospital spokesperson”. This is because there is generally one person that speaks for the entire hospital.

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Hospitals and the News Media Situations  A well know person, an actor/actress or politician is hospitalized- this could create media sensation. The hospital spokesperson will make any announcements to the media, however there have been cases that reporters try to make contact with hospital staff as they leave or enter the building. Under no circumstances should you ever discuss a patient, famous or not. News reporters can be relentless in attempting to gain information, however your job and professional reputation is on the line.  An inmate that gained media attention is hospitalized. The first consideration in this case is to refresh your mind on treating every patient fairly. Maintain professional boundaries if you are caring for the patient, and even if the patient gives permission for you to speak to reporters, do not do so, it will result in job loss.  An incident occurred at you medical facility, either a medical mistake, or a type of pandemic. In a situation such as this, the media may attempt to get information from any source they can. As difficult as it may be, offer no conversation to reporters, refer them to your hospital administrator. Don't be overly concerned about walking away and ignoring reporters, they are actually very used to it.

A Nurse’s Story Amanda worked at a large hospital in a big city. She had worked for the hospital for 11 years, and had been named employee of the month several times. She was very popular among administrators and her peers, she was a great nurse with a promising career ahead of her. The wife of an actor was admitted to the hospital and was under Amanda's care. Twice on her way to her car after her shift, Amanda was questioned by a reporter, regarding the actor's wife, each time she ignored the question. Amanda met her sister at a coffee shop one morning before work. As sisters do, they shared information, and Amanda mentioned her rather infamous patient.

Within one minute of sharing this with her sister, a man caught her eye as he abruptly got up from his seat. The man was in fact the persistent reporter, and he now had enough information to compile his story.

Ultimately, per hospital, policy, Amanda lost her job, and the hospital lost a great nurse. Amanda did not do this intentionally; she knew her sister could be trusted. Sadly she underestimated the persistence of the reporter, and it cost her job and career.

Related: Non Medical Hospital Emergencies Positive Media Attention There are times that the news media can shed a positive light on a medical facility. Perhaps there is a new lifesaving procedure being done at your facility, it may be very well newsworthy. In a case such as this, you may be advised by administrators to answer questions from the media.  Stick to only the facts; don't share your personal opinion on a subject.  Don't deviate away from the guidelines set forth to be discussed.  Don't share personal information on any of the patients.  Never talk down about your employer, or any coworkers.  Refer any questions you are unsure of to the hospital administrators.

When in the presence of journalist that is covering information on your medical facility, use common sense when offering any information, and keep one thing in mind, less information is better. The last thing you want to have happen is to lose your job over a seemingly innocent statement. You have a job to do in providing the best care to your patients, and the news media have a job to do, and that may very well be to gain information, and not to stop until they have done so. In most cases reporters are not out to cause problems for hospital staff, however, they are out to produce a story, and you could be considered a casualty of their war.

Think carefully and cautiously. Refer all news reporters to your hospital administrator.

Related: Leading Registered Nurse Marilyn Valerio Abalos, RN, BSN is to be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter