What CVMC Can Share About a Patient — hospital directory, clergy access, and fundraising opt-outs (for families)
If your loved one is admitted to Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC), some basic information may be shared through the hospital directory unless the patient tells the hospital not to. Here’s what that can include, how clergy requests work, and where to go to limit or opt out.
At CVMC, the hospital directory is a limited listing used while someone is admitted. By default, CVMC may include a patient in this directory unless the patient tells CVMC otherwise at registration. If privacy is a concern for your family, the key moment is early - ask about directory preferences during registration so the patient’s wishes are clear from the start.
- ✓ Name
- ✓ Location in the hospital
- ✓ General condition (for example: good, fair, stable)
- ✓ Religious affiliation
- ✓ Name, location, and general condition may be released to people who ask for the patient by name
Religious affiliation is handled a little differently than the other directory details. CVMC may provide a patient’s religious affiliation to a member of the clergy even if that clergy member does not ask for the patient by name. If your loved one prefers that religious affiliation not be shared, that’s a choice to raise at registration so CVMC can limit what’s disclosed.
For everyone else, the directory disclosure is narrower. CVMC’s directory may include a patient’s name, location in the hospital, and general condition, and that information (except religious affiliation) may be released to people who ask for the patient by name. In plain terms: someone generally needs to know the patient’s name to receive those basic updates, while religious affiliation can be shared with clergy under the directory rules described above.
If the patient does not want to be included in CVMC’s hospital directory, they need to tell CVMC at registration. That “tell us otherwise” step is what changes the default. If you’re supporting a loved one who is stressed, medicated, or overwhelmed, it can help to gently remind them to ask staff about directory privacy before or during the registration process.
To opt out of fundraising contacts, go through CVMC's Privacy Office. Contact the Privacy Officer and clearly state that the patient doesn't want fundraising communications.
CVMC also allows patients to request confidential communications. If your family needs things handled more privately, contact the Privacy Officer to start that request and learn what the hospital requires.
CVMC’s Privacy Officer is Jessica Hatem, Director – Health Information Management. She may be reached at 828-326-3294. The mailing address for Catawba Valley Medical Center is 810 Fairgrove Church Road SE, Hickory, NC 28602.
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