Department of Anesthesia at UF

Photography (still pictures, videotapes, motion pictures, etc.) intended for purposes of medical care, education, research, public release, or for personal use shall be taken only at such times and under such conditions as approved by the patient’s attending physician, and only after the patient has expressed his informed consent in writing upon admission and/or by signing the Operative Permit or "Consent to Photograph" form. Forms are available from Public Relations (265-0373).

Informed Consent

1. For photographs taken for medical care, research or educational purposes, the patient’s attending physician shall be responsible for informing the patient and for obtaining written consent.
2. Public Relations shall be responsible for obtaining written consent for photography taken for public release.
3. For photographs taken for the personal use or the convenience of the patient, such as newborns, birthdays, legal purposes, etc., the photographer shall obtain the written consent. The photographer shall be required to provide the executed consent to the nursing staff for inclusion in the medical record.
4. Either parent or a legally appointed guardian may sign the consent form for minor or incompetent patients.

Release of Photography

1. Photographs/videotapes for medical, educational, or scientific research purposes are not a part of the clinical medical record, but may be filed as an appendix to the medical record. The release of such photographs/videotapes shall be made only by Medical Record Services upon written authorization of the patient and with the knowledge of the physician.
2. The identity of the patient shall not be revealed in photography used for medical, educational or scientific research purposes under the authority of the Operative Permit or Consent to Photograph form, or in any accompanying descriptive texts.
3. In cases where patient identity is to be revealed, the photographer, or his/her representative, shall obtain the written consent of the patient or their legal guardian.
4. All non-staff/Health Center news media photographers shall wear Shands press passes, available only in Shands Public Relations Department, and must be accompanied by a Public Relations staff member. Requests by news media for photos must be routed through Public Relations. The Public Relations Department shall be notified immediately of any violations.
5. The use or release of patient photography may be made only within the parameters outlined above and in the executed consent form, or in response to a court order.

This page was last updated Nov. 7, 2005.