The Yawkey building entrance is now closed.

As of April 29, BMC’s Yawkey building doors are closed as an entrance. All patients and visitors on our main campus must enter the hospital via the Shapiro, Menino, or Moakley buildings, where they will be greeted by team members at a new centralized check-in desk. Learn more.

Patient Condition Information

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Releasing Patient Information to the Media

Boston Medical Center is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and their medical information. Communications office staff members provide a one-word patient condition to the media in accordance with the American Hospital Association guidelines contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

How to Obtain a Patient's Condition

To inquire about a patient at Boston Medical Center, members of the media should contact the media relations staff. 

Please note:

  • Media must provide the patient’s full name.
  • Staff will only give a one-word description about a patient’s general condition.
  • The release of any medical information beyond a one-word condition requires written authorization by the patient or the patient’s legal representative.
  • We will acknowledge the death of a patient only after next-of-kin have been notified.
  • In the event of a large scale disaster, we will attempt to provide aggregate information about patients brought to the hospital.

Patient Condition Definitions 

  • Undetermined – Patient is awaiting physician assessment.

  • 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 in 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 – Vitals are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.

Please note, "stable" is not a recognized condition, according to HIPAA guidelines.