July 14, 2000

As a nationally and internationally recognized leader in health care, teaching and research, the MGH attracts significant media attention. While the Public Affairs Office is directly responsible for overseeing the hospital's media relations program, each member of the MGH community plays an important role. To assist the Public Affairs Office, employees and staff are asked to follow the guidelines outlined below:

• Refer all media calls to the Public Affairs Office (6-2206) at the earliest opportunity. A representative of Public Affairs is available 24 hours a day (pager # 28383) through the hospital page operator (6-2066). In addition, Georgia Peirce, director of media relations, carries pager # 22345, and Peggy Slasman, chief public affairs officer, has pager # 28385. The Public Affairs staff is experienced in handling a vast range of media issues and is available to assist any MGH employee.

• All patient information released to the media should be provided by the Public Affairs Office. Patient confidentiality is the highest priority at the MGH. Generally, Public Affairs staff members release only a one-word condition – good, fair, serious or critical – in accordance with American Hospital Association guidelines. No other information is released without the consent of the patient and/or family members.

• If employees or staff have an existing relationship with a reporter and agree to an interview, they are encouraged to inform Public Affairs as soon as possible. Knowing about media activity enables Public Affairs to track and report any resulting media placements.

• To ensure patient confidentiality and privacy, any member of the media or film crew or photographer entering the hospital with a camera of any type – still or video – must be accompanied by a Public Affairs staff member. The Public Affairs representative will obtain the necessary clearances and consents. Public Affairs should be informed and involved, even if the film crew is shooting a promotional or training video. Early notification of such requests facilitates scheduling.

• Researchers who learn that a paper has been accepted by a peer-reviewed journal should contact the Public Affairs Office as soon as possible to discuss appropriate strategies for communicating the information. Such scientific publications often present opportunities for media coverage. Embargoes are always honored.

For more information about the hospital's media program, contact the Public Affairs Office at 6-2206, Peirce at 4-6423 or Slasman at 4-2750.