Patient condition requests

UCHealth’s top priority is always the care, safety and privacy of our patients and their families. We follow all HIPAA laws and guidelines that limit the amount of patient information we may release without written consent from a patient or authorized patient representative.

Information cannot be provided about a patient’s illness, injuries or care without written consent. When asking for an admitted patient’s condition, the patient’s full name must be provided, and a condition can only be provided for patients who are listed in the hospital’s directory. No information can be provided for patients who request to not be listed in the directory.

When available, patients’ conditions are provided using standard language acceptable under HIPAA laws and American Hospital Association guidelines:

• Undetermined: The patient is still awaiting evaluation by a physician and his or her condition is not yet available.
• Good: Patient is conscious and comfortable. Vital signs are stable and normal. Indicators are excellent.
• Fair: Patient is conscious with minor complications. Vitals signs are stable and normal. Indicators are favorable.
• Serious: Patient is acutely ill; indicators are questionable. Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits.
• Critical: Patient is acutely ill with major complications. Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may not be conscious; indicators are unfavorable.
• Deceased: In most cases, confirmation of a death must come from a coroner or law enforcement agency.