Media Guidelines

The guidelines outlined below are designed to ensure and protect the rights and privacy of the patients, families and staff at Mission Hospital and Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. Guidelines also apply to affiliated centers including Camino Health Center, Mission Health Centers, Family Resource Centers and Mission Surgery Center.

Guidelines also apply to CHOC Children's at Mission Hospital. To visit CHOC Children's at Mission, please contact CHOC's Media Relations Department at 714-532-8680.

Prior to Arrival on Campus

• If your organization requires you to obtain appearance, materials or location release(s), submit a copy to your media relations representative for review prior to your visit.

Arriving at a Mission Hospital Campus

• All media must check-in with the Marketing & Communications Department upon arrival.  Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m, please call (949) 364-2211 or (949) 364-1400 and ask for the media representative.
• A media relations representative will escort you to receive a media access badge, which should be worn above your waist at all times.
• A representative will escort you at all times while on campus assist you with your editorial or photography needs. This includes exterior photography.

Communication with Patients and Staff

• Personal photos or videos are not allowed to be taken of the patients. Footage of patients and families must be pre-approved and an official form signed through a media relations representative. If your organization requires you to bring more than one camera, it must be approved prior to your visit.
• Do not ask patients, families or staff for their personal information (including personal/hospital phone number, address, e-mail address, website or medical identification number). A patient's medical identification number should never be filmed, photographed for published.
• If a family member provides you with consent, you still need to contact the Marketing and Communications Department and follow media policy and protocol.
• In order to protect the patient's and family's right of privacy, hospital staff cannot disclose information regarding any patient's illness, treatment or prognosis without prior permission from the patient's family through a representative and an official consent form signed.
• If your organization requires its own form signed for patients, staff or the location, it must be coordinated by a representative.
• If further footage or interviews are needed, approval and scheduling must first be approved by a media relations representative.
• If you would like to follow-up or send copies of your story, contact the Marketing & Communications Department at (949) 364-2211.

General Guidelines

• Remember you are in a working hospital. Be sensitive to the noise level out of consideration for the medical staff and patients who are in their rooms and waiting for appointments. In areas where there is limited space, please remember to be mindful of hospital traffic.
• Be aware that there are general hospital noises - overhead messages; patients, families and staff in the hallways; and patient care activities - that may not always be able to be quieted for interviews. There is likely to be extraneous sound on your audio track.
• Please wear appropriate attire. No shorts or short skirts, sleeveless shirts, open-toed shoes or hats.