Policies

Media Inquiries
We ask that any media contact with a patient, family, physician or staff member at Le Bonheur be directed through the media relations department at 901.287.6030. Our media relations staff will help you with information about Le Bonheur's services, facilities, programs, physicians, Associates or patients. To contact a department representative after hours, call 901.287.6001. A representative is available for media inquiries 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Campus Visits
Members of the media are required to notify our public relations department before coming to any Le Bonheur facility. While on Le Bonheur’s campus, media must be accompanied by a media relations staff member or their designee because of patient confidentiality concerns. Media credentials must be clearly displayed at all times for security purposes.

Please remember that Le Bonheur Children's Hospital is private property. For the protection of our patients and families, the Le Bonheur security department strictly enforces the visitors policy and retains the right to determine admittance to the facility.

On-Site Filming
News crews are welcome to set up for live shots or film on the sidewalks across the street from Le Bonheur at any time. As a courtesy, however, we ask you notify the media relations department beforehand. We can be reached at 901.287.6030 or after hours at 901.287.6001. Please do not interfere with patient or ambulance access to any entrance.

Emergency Management
In the event of an emergency, Le Bonheur media relations representatives will be on site to assist with media inquiries. Should it be necessary, a Media Information Center will be established in the Auditorium Lobby (entrance on Dunlap). Briefings will be held in the auditorium if needed. Unless prohibited by the emergency, telephones will be available for media. Members of the media will have convenient access to their vehicles and a hospital exit.

Patient Confidentiality
We strive to protect the confidentiality of our patients and their families while maintaining the highest standards of communication with the media. The media is considered a valued partner and every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate requests for information.
Due to the laws enforced by HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act ) members of the media seeking patient condition reports must have the first and last name of the patient they are inquiring about. Without this information, members of the public relations team cannot release patient information or condition reports.

Le Bonheur media relations does, however, reserve the right to refuse interview or photography requests during police investigations, when a family requests privacy or if a patient's confidentiality is being compromised.

For more information please contact: Jennifer Parris , 901.287.6030