Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health's Department of Public Relations and Corporate Communications works with the news media to promote our health system, physicians and staff, and create awareness of education, research and patient care activities.

Media Policy

LG Health welcomes media professionals to contact our Public Relations Department to arrange interviews with physicians, staff and patients for stories and for patient condition reports. All members of the media must be accompanied by a Public Relations or staff member when conducting interviews or taking photos on LG Health property.

Requesting Patient Information

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated regulations that govern privacy standards for health care information.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health adheres to the following policies when providing patient information:

A member of the media must have a patient's name, age and town of residence in order to request a condition. No additional information beyond the condition will be provided about the patient. A patient condition will be disclosed as long as the patient has not asked that his or her information be kept out of the hospital’s directory.

A one-word condition will be provided as outlined below:

  • 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.

Media Resources

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