Interview, Photography & Live Shot Requests

The Media Relations team at Baylor Scott & White Health is dedicated to responding to media requests promptly. Media Relations must approve requests for interviews and photographs with patients, physicians or employees at Baylor Scott & White facilities before scheduling.

Members of the news media must have a media relations escort with them while on Baylor Scott & White property and should arrange an escort before arriving on campus. Escorts are required to protect the health and privacy of our patients.

Baylor Scott & White regularly participates in live reports. Please talk to Media Relations to determine an appropriate location before dispatching a satellite truck for a live shot.


Emergency Department & Heliport Access

Emergency Department Access - News media should not set up cameras in any Baylor emergency department ambulance driveway or in any place that blocks patient access to an emergency department entrance.

Heliport Access - Contact Media Relations in advance for permission to tape on Baylor's heliport. Baylor Public Safety and Public Relations must accompany news media on the heliport.


Patient Information Requests

Under patient privacy laws*, news media must provide the patient's first and last name (with correct spelling) before the release of any patient information.

Media Relations will not release information about:

  • Patients who request that no information be released.
  • Patients who are involved in domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, child/elderly abuse, chemical dependency or attempted suicide.
  • If investigation is ongoing and/or patients in danger as determined by law enforcement officials
  • Patients who are under age 18, without a parent or legal guardian's written consent.
  • Patients discharged who have not given written consent.
*All policies are in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's privacy rule and the American Hospital Association's "Guide for the Release of Information on the Condition of Patients." Guidelines are consistent throughout Baylor Scott & White Health.

Patient Condition Reports

Interpreting One-Word Patient Condition Reports: A patient condition report describes a patient's medical status. "Stable" is not a condition report and should not be used alone or with other condition reports.

  • Treated and Released — Patient was treated at facility and released.
  • Undetermined — Patient is awaiting physician assessment or is currently being evaluated by a physician.
  • Good — Vital signs* are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.
  • Fair — Vital signs* are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.
  • Serious — Vital signs* may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.
  • Critical — Vital signs* are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.
*Vital signs include temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning.

Contact Us

The Baylor Scott & White Health Online Newsroom was created to be an information resource for the news media. From videos to press releases to quick facts about our organization, we designed this newsroom with the busy reporter in mind.

However, if you can't find what you're looking for or have a special request please contact us directly:

Office of Public Relations: 214.820.3055

Media inquiries via email: mediarelations@bswhealth.org
Please note: This email is not checked after hours or on the weekends. If your request is urgent and time sensitive, please call the after-hours PR representative.

On-call PR Representative:
Dallas/Fort Worth – 214.727.6633
All other regions – 254.231.6637