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CRISIS COMMUNICATION PLAN

 Guidelines for the Media
If a disaster or crisis occurs, patient care is the first priority at any Deaconess Health System facility. However, any media requests or needs will be met as soon as possible. Please familiarize yourself with the following plan:

1. Following are Deaconess Health System facilities covered by this plan: Deaconess Hospital and associated free-standing diagnostic facilities (Chancellor Center for Oncology, laboratories), The Women’s Hospital, Deaconess Gateway Hospital, Deaconess Cross Pointe, HealthSouth Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital, Deaconess Medical Group physician offices, Deaconess Urgent Care centers, and other Deaconess entities.

2. If a disaster situation exists, Deaconess employees will refer media representatives to the Deaconess Public Relations office (phone 812-450-3199). No media representatives will be allowed in any Deaconess Health System facility without the approval and/or escort by a Deaconess Public Relations representative.

3. Updates will be provided regularly on the media section of the deaconess.com website. Background information, photographs and other information for the media are also available on the site.

4. A news media communications center will be established in the COMP Center facility located at 329 W. Columbia in Evansville (at the corner of Columbia and Harriett streets across from the Deaconess Hospital). The COMP Center telephone number is 812-450-7455. This media center will be manned by Public Relations Department staff throughout the disaster or crisis.

5. Media representatives are to contact Public Relations at 812-450-3199 to verify if the media center has been established.

     a. If it has been established, all media representatives are to work through the center to determine locations that are off limits and the need to be escorted by Public Relations staff to open facilities. Media representatives will be given an identification badge to wear at all times while on Deaconess Health System property for the duration of the disaster or crisis.

     b. If a media center has not been established, media representatives are to enter Deaconess Hospital using the main entrance, check in at the information desk and ask that the Public Relations Department be contacted. A Public Relations representative will escort the media representative to the appropriate area.

6. The Director of Public Relations will act as official spokesperson for Deaconess Health System unless specific medical information is necessary, in which case a medical spokesperson may be designated by administration.

7.  The Public Relations Department will release information in at least 1-hour intervals or as news occurs. Information will be announced verbally and then distributed to all media representatives in printed form. This information will also be posted on the media section of the deaconess.com website. If media representatives request information by telephone, information will be released at 1-hour intervals or as it occurs by conference call or by individual calls to the media outlet. Questions from the media will be accepted after the call, and if the answer is not known at the time, the information will be gathered and given during the next conference call or an individualized response will be provided.

8. Requests for information or interviews should be made to the Public Relations staff only. Media representatives who attempt to circumvent the communication process by obtaining unauthorized interviews or by releasing information not confirmed by the Public Relations Department may be asked to leave the media center and Deaconess Health System property. These individuals, though no longer being granted direct access, may continue to monitor the story through the deaconess.com website.

9. The Public Relations Department will facilitate and coordinate media access to the hospital, administrators, physicians, religious personnel, patients, family and friends during the crisis. Deaconess wants media to get the story while protecting the privacy of any victims and maintaining uninterrupted medical care. To expedite access and information flow, media personnel will be asked to remain in the disaster media center at all times except for meals and personal necessity, unless escorted by a Public Relations representative to family or victim interviews, etc. Any incoming calls for media will be received by the assigned employee, and a message center will be maintained in this area. Electrical outlets for computers, telephones and private offices will be available for those who need them. Drinks and food will be available in the media center as announced. Restrooms are located near the media center. Cell phones and other wireless technologies have been known to interfere with critical life-saving equipment in hospitals, but not in the media center. General cell phone or wireless technology use within intensive care units is restricted.

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