By: Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - In consonance with the ISO certification of the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), the government-run hospital crafted a clear-cut policy on media relations.
ZCMC Chief Administrative Officer Violeta Mangaso said a meeting with members of the Zamboanga Press Club was conducted recently to discuss the said hospital policy to the media.
Mangaso said the policy provides guidance to both ZCMC and the media in the release of information about the patient.
“It is our primary concern that the patient’s right is not put into jeopardy or is not violated,” Mangaso emphasized.
Mangaso said the policy on media relations uphold the right, dignity, privacy, confidentiality and consent of the patient with regard to giving information to media or an interview.
Mangaso asked the understanding of the local media that before an interview [with the patient concerned] is granted, the Public Assistance and Customer Care Unit (PACCU) shall present the request [of the media] to the patient and his/her family including the attending physician/head nurse on duty regarding the interview, if the patient or the latter’s family give the consent needed through signing the consent form, then the interview now may proceed. A PACCU representative shall accompany the media personnel.
She also said all media interviews, photography or video tape sessions with patients must be coordinated with PACCU during office hours. In case of inquiries during evenings, weekends and holidays, the Senior House Officer on duty is the authorized spokesperson to media queries.
The chief administrative officer said PACCU staff member should at all times accompany the media during the duration of his “transaction” (interview, taking photos or video). Mangaso, however, clarified that media access may be denied in cases where media presence would aggravate the patient’s condition or interfere with appropriate clinical care.
“After the patient is discharged, the hospital is no longer in the position to disclose information about the him/her,” Mangaso further explained.
Mangaso clarified that although ZCMC is viewed as a public service institution, medical information is not an open public record. “There are rules to follow and policy to respect,” she said..
“Only ZCMC-accredited media men shall have access to the hospital and patients,” she said.
“To be accredited, their managers/station managers, editor in chief shall write us and enumerate the names of their reporters or writers that they want us to accredit,” Mangaso explained. She said, those who will be accredited shall be issued an ID.
‘The ZCMC will set up a media center where the media can hangout as they do their stories or after a coverage. We are also thinking of conducting a regular press conference, probably one a month, ” Magaso said.