Each hospital is expected to designate an authorized spokesperson(s) who will be accessible to the media. A hospital spokesperson serves as the primary resource for the media and he or she assumes the responsibility of collecting and disseminating requested data or locating other appropriate resources for direct contact.

All media in the community served by the hospital should be informed of the identity and phone number of the designated hospital spokesperson(s). Since each hospital may have a different system for the release of information, it is the hospital's responsibility to keep the media informed of this system.

When a Physician's approval and input is necessary for the release of information, the hospital spokesperson is responsible for obtaining that approval, even if he or she refers the media representative directly to the physician.

The hospital spokesperson must have the physician's approval before releasing his or her name as the attending physician, although the hospital may acknowledge, subject to patient approval, that the patient is under the care of the hospital staff.

The hospital spokesperson is responsible for obtaining information as rapidly as possible without interfering with the health and welfare of patients. No information which violates the confidentiality or legal rights of the patient can be given.

When information on hospital procedures, equipment, facilities for treatment, or other features of hospital services is provided, hospital spokespersons are expected to refrain from giving the impression that such facilities are unique to the hospital unless that is known to be fact.

Hospitals are expected to establish special emergency procedures to enable their institutions to provide fast and accurate data to the media in the event of a disaster.