Unlike the most common uses of Twitter like daily posts to friends and following celebrities, health care related matters pose unique concerns, including but not limited to, patient dignity and privacy, professional oaths to do no harm, legal concerns, and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). For example, “HIPAA governs the permitted use and disclosure of patient information by covered entities, including HCPs and hospitals” (Ventola, L. C., 2014). An HCP may unintentionally breach federal HIPPAA or state privacy laws in several ways when using social media platforms such as Twitter. Whether communicating with or about a patient on social media, breaking patient confidentiality will result in legal action against an HCP …show more content…
For instance, a study was led by health care professionals on medical blogs and the result of the study showed that “individual patients were described in 42% of the 271 samples studied. Of these samples, 17% were found to include enough information for patients to identify themselves or their providers, and three included recognizable photographs of the patients” (Ventola, L. C., 2014). HCPs must be wary of any patient who initiates online communication, as violations of the patient-HCP boundary may be crossed. There was a recent study that showed patients are likely to reach out to their family physicians or specialists on social media platforms (Ventola, L. C., 2014). The study disclosed that the majority of HCPs will not respond to their patients through social media, as it is thought to be imprudent for a health care professional to interact with their patients (Ventola, L. C., 2014). Twitter being a proprietary company along with the many other popular forums like Facebook, are motivated by profit. These social networking sites recognize all the personal account information as their own
Leaving sensitive health information inadequately stored or unsecured when scheduling patient appointments is a HIPAA violation of willing negligence (Iron Mountain, 2015). For example, the patient’s medical diagnosis or reason for referral must be known to schedule an office visit with the appropriate health care provider. If this protected health information is visible and becomes public, serious legal issues may occur. Additionally, if a scheduler discusses patient information in a public area of the hospital, in an elevator, in the lunchroom, in the hallway, or in any location that is not private, this is a violation of unwilling negligence (Iron Mountain, 2015). Furthermore, telling friends and family about patients that are scheduled
The four major ethical principles in health care are: Autonomy – to honor the patient’s right to make their own decision (the opposite is paternalism - the health care provider knows best for the patient), Beneficence – to help the patient advance his/her own good, Nonmaleficence – to do no harm (many bioethical controversies involves this principle), and Justice – to be fair and treat like cases alike. All 4 principles are considered to be in effect at all times. In theory, each is of equal weight or importance. Ethical responsibilities in a given situation depend in part on the nature of the decision and in part on the roles everyone involved play.
Today, there are so many legal dilemmas dominating trial for the courts to make a sound legal decision on whose right in a complicated situation. Despite the outcome of the case, the disagreement usually has a profound effect on the healthcare organization, and the industry as a whole. Many cases are arguments centered around if the issue is a legal or moral principle. Regardless what the situation maybe, the final decision is left to the courts to differentiate between the legality issues at hand opposed to justifying a case based on moral rules. According to Pozgar (2012), an ethical dilemma arises in situations where a choice must be made between unpleasant alternative. It can occur whenever a choice involves giving up something good and suffering something bad, no matter what course of action is taken (p. 367). In this paper, I will discuss cases that arose in the healthcare industry that have been tried and brought to justice by the United States court system.
HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was put in place by the Federal Government for several reasons; better portability of health insurance for employees, to prevent fraud and abuse within the healthcare delivery system, and simplification of administrative functions associated with healthcare delivery (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). Due to sensitive healthcare information being shared federal regulations were also put into place, resulting in the “Privacy Rule” and “Security Rule”. The Privacy Rule limits the use and disclosure of patient information. The Security Rule protects the patients’ healthcare information from improper use or disclosure, to maintain information integrity, and ensure its availability (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). Both regulations apply to protected health information (PHI) which is any form of health information that can be used to identify an individual patient. Practitioners who refer to HIPPA are not referring to the act itself but the “Privacy Rule” and “Security Rule” (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2012). It is extremely important to understand these concepts as a student in the clinical setting and how each hospital enforces these concepts. Before starting at any clinical site there is an extensive orientation about HIPPA regarding what is appropriate and not appropriate when it comes to patient information and the repercussions of violating HIPPA. In this paper I will discuss Akron General’s rules and policies regarding their EHR, PHI, EPHI, and social media.
Every patient that is admitted to hospital, or seen by a health professional has a right to his or her own privacy, and it is through ensuring professional boundaries are upheld that this basic right can be achieved. According to Levett-Jones and Bourgeois (2011, pp. 237) confidentiality is an obligation made by a professional to respect the information given by a patient to healthcare professional. In this modern age, privacy can be hard as society relies on technology as a form of communication, allowing for information to be more readily available. However, by posting on Facebook about a patient or informing a friend, the trust created in a therapeutic relationship is breach and is called a boundary crossing. Thompson (2010, pp.26) understands that “At times, boundary crossing may be unintentional, but emphasizes th...
These days’ health care systems are using social media to improve quality and safety of overall health care delivery, through access to information. Nurses as well as patients can get deta...
3. Social Stigma - Certain doctors have looked down on doctor's that use social media. These doctors feel like that the doctors that use social media are wasting their time on social media instead of being a doctor. They wonder if social media compromises the existing patient/doctor relationship.
The result depends on the organization’s training on social media and their choice of use. According to Loyola University Health System (2015), using social media in health care organizations can lead to a faster response to health care tragedies, enhanced communication among pharmaceuticals and other recollections, more personal health care establishments, and patients feeling more involved with their physician or health facility. So overall, social media can be beneficial since health information can be available to a larger number of people. On the other hand, social media can become an ethical dilemma for health care institutions if employees do not use the system professionally. Social media can become an ethical dilemma if there are no restrictions on health care workers' professional and personal lives.
We wrote this paper to communicate our beliefs that health providers, through a small commitment to use online social networking technologies, can play an active role in preventing the growing trend of patients receiving inaccurate health information online. Fortunately, they can do this in a way that takes little time, is in accordance with legal regulations, and will bring both societal and economic rewards without compromising their privacy or identity. We outline the following steps for health practitioners and believe that these steps can prevent patients from receiving inaccurate health information and improve the practice of health providers: 1. Create an account on Face book, my space, or any online social networks that may be
Health care leaders can use this viewpoint as an introduction to social media. Technology has become so advanced that social media can now be used to enhance the physician patient relationship. Patients can use status updates to inform physicians of any health issues or concerns. Physicians can tag health information relevant to a patient and post it to a patient’s news feed. Social media can allow a physician to be more productive while never having to leave his/her office. The health care leader’s responsibilities include introducing the idea to the physician and providing the training to ensure that the use of such media is productive.
With millions of people every day utilizing social media, users should keep in mind to be very careful with the types of information they put out there for people to see. Nurses need to be made aware of the responsibility they must take to be even more attentive and smart about what goes on Facebook and what does not. He or she must re-think and contemplate if the post they are about to make will have consequences for themselves or the person they are posting about. With laws such as, HIPPA, being complaint driven, nurses must not only think about what will be entertaining, say a photo of a child with a gummy bear stuck up their nose, but think about the effects it may have if the picture gets around to the family, embarrasses them and they, in turn, make the decision to sue (Amy L Hader). Also, healthcare professionals should be sure to go to a private area to discuss patient’s conditions, diagnosis, treatments. The author also states that privacy rules go beyond the hospital, in fact, you may break one of the rules by innocently talking with a friend or loved one outside of the appropriate realm of discussions. In one case out of Wisconsin, two nurses are under investigation by the FBI for federal violations because pictures of a patient’s personal indiscretions were posted on the nurses Facebook page and then further discussed (Hader). In another case, according to the AANA a nurse and an orderly were caught talking about a current patient’s HIV/AIDS condition in a place within earshot of another patient’s room, and as a result, both were put on leave and left with permanent derogatory marks on the nurse’s work records. In addition to the effects, it leaves on the patients, nurses breaching HIPPA laws can be devastating to their career and personal life. Evan D Brown states in the ANAA Journal, that there can be fines up to fifty thousand dollars and/or one year
Smart phones and social media in the health care field presents opportunities and growth advancement but also comes with many consequences and challenges. Health care organizations have regulated the use of smartphones and posting confidential information on social media such as HIPPA, which have laws intact if violated these laws may lead to termination or fines. The patient’s privacy and confidentiality is important when creating such policies, to maximize work efficiency and to create a safe environment. Furthermore, health care staff need to ensure that their patient care standards aren’t compromised by the use of these devices or social media postings.
Interactions through virtual social media, such as, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter are prevalent ways information can be generated, shared, and exchanged. With the use of these networking platforms, medical professionals and healthcare employees are putting themselves in a liableness situation connecting with patients and colleagues as it is essentially an open forum. When the patient creates a message on the forum they are giving authorization for anyone to see; however, if the physician or healthcare employee were to post on the forum and disclose PHI relating to the patient without a care-related need for the disclosure it would constitute a HIPAA violation. Social media platforms have turned out to be an enticing channel to disclose patient information, committed deliberately or not, that should have otherwise remained private. Reports in the news have emerged that allude to nursing staff posting photos of patients, physicians releasing case specifics that allowed the patient to be recognized, and employees who thought gaining access to and distributing the health information of friends, relatives, or celebrities was okay.
This can lead to the rejection of a job interview, a job offer, or even suspension/termination by a current employer. Nurses should not use social media as a means to complain about patients, discuss workplace issues, or share information regarding accidents, casualties, or patient care. Any amount of information, no matter how insignificant, can be viewed as a HIPAA violation. Therefore, it is important for nurses to understand HIPAA and the potential ways they can violate HIPAA law on social media. Adopted in 1996, HIPAA gives patients privacy and security in regards to their medical
When it comes to social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, nobody wants to think about the negative effects it has on patients. Brian Cayko, the director of clinical education in the respiratory care program at Great Falls College, Montana State University in Great Falls, Montana argues that social media makes it easier for patients. When a patient is not able to acquire care at the medical facility, they can get in touch with their respiratory therapist with the use of social media sites. Cayko also states that social media sites can be helpful as “educational resources, patient support and social and professional networking.” I think that Cayko knows that everyone must remember the negative things about social media and the internet, with the understanding that just because it’s on the web doesn’t mean that it is the truth. No, not everything is wrong with social media sites, I am involved in social media sites myself; however, personally I know that when it comes to an occupation especially in the medical field, you have to be more aware of the negatives than the