Condition Reports
Condition Reports - what we can tell you
The WCH acts in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act
and the Children's Protection Act.
Accordingly, we do not release any personal information regarding a patient
without consent of the adult patient or, where the patient is a child, the
consent of their parent or guardian. This consent requirement includes
confirmation of admission.
When you call regarding a patient's condition, we can respond only if we can
confirm consent, and only if you can provide the patient's correct name. The
risk of confusing two similar cases is too great for us to guess who your are
calling to check on. In most cases, Communication and Public Relations staff
will take your name and number and get right back to you.
While we encourage families to allow the media to share information about their
child with their community, we respect their right to ultimately decide whether
or not to release details.
After obtaining consent, we can confirm admission and provide a condition report
for the patient, limited to one of the following:
GOOD: Vital signs stable, within normal limits, patient
conscious and comfortable, indicators favourable.
FAIR: vital signs stable and within normal limits, patient
conscious but may be uncomfortable, indicators favourable.
STABLE: Good or fair and condition unchanged.
SERIOUS: Vital signs may be unstable, not within normal limits,
patient is acutely ill, indicators questionable.
CRITICAL: Vital signs unstable, not within normal limits,
patient may not be conscious, indicators unfavourable.
Often, if requested, patients/parents will agree to pass on additional details
to Communication and Public Relations. We will obtain consent for this release of information as quickly as
possible and report these additional facts.
We are unable to comment when patients or their family members decline consent
for release of information, and request that all information about them or their
child be kept confidential.
The death of a patient will be confirmed only with consent and after next of kin
has been notified. Sometimes you will be referred to Police Media Liaison.
Our Media Guides, and in particular Getting your
story at the WCH: A guide for the media will be useful in advising you how
the Communication and Public Relations at WCH can assist you.
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