Media Policies
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center welcomes the opportunity to work with reporters. To facilitate that process, we have established the following guidelines to request information or interviews.
- Please call the Office of Communications at 617-667-7300 to arrange all interviews, photo shoots or for other information. A communications staff member is available at all times by calling the hospital page operator at 617-667-4700.
- Advance notice of on-site interviews is necessary so Media Relations staff can arrange for a room for interviews or shoots, notify the patient care areas involved, and line up the appropriate patients, family and staff.
- To ensure patient confidentiality, privacy and appropriate sensitivity to all patients and families, reporters, film crews, and photographers must always be accompanied by a Media Relation staff person while on the BIDMC campus. We follow American Hospital Association guidelines in meeting patient privacy guidelines contained in the Health Insurance and Portability Act .
- It is BIDMC policy not to allow photographs or grant interviews - on camera or by telephone - with patients who have been involved in high-profile accidents or news events during their hospital stay. Reporters may seek interviews only after patients have been discharged and returned home.