Social Media’s Pit: Avoid the Fall

TTUHSC School of Nursing

Laurie Crider

June 15, 2015

Introduction

• Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube have become popular

• Increasing needs for education on protecting healthcare information

• Many pitfalls and disadvantages exist, but advantages coexist

• Education on avoiding pitfalls, implications and consequences of breaching patient privacy transform social networking from curse to cure (Pillai, 2011, p. 55)

Presentation Overview

Common misconceptions

Advantages of social networking

Disadvantages encountered

Implications of breaching patient privacy

Consequences of breaching patient privacy

Avoiding the pitfalls

Common Misconceptions

Postings are private and can only be viewed by the intended recipient, however, sites often employ a broad waiver of rights limiting use of content

Deleted photos and statements are gone forever and are no longer accessible

Only a name or photo posted is a breach of patient privacy, however, any identifying information is a breach of patient privacy (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2011)

Advantages of Social Media in Nursing• Promoting one’s resume and employment offers by recruiters

frequenting social platforms• An excellent platform for exchanging ideas and providing education

among professional workers• Quickly increases awareness about diseases, precautions, or even

preemptive measures against diseases rapidly becoming pandemic, to a vast audience

• Extends an avenue of learning about current treatment options available for diseases, medications and procedures

• Provides a means of communicating with other healthcare professionals, patients and their families, in education or teaching

• Greatest advantage is the ability to reach a wide audience quickly (Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, 2013)

[Untitled illustration of desktop monitor]. Retrieved June 21, 2015 fromhttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/online-content-strategies-paid-promotions-healthcare-social-cramer?trk=prof-post

Disadvantages of Social Media in Healthcare

Occurrence of lateral violence due to disrespect of patients’ confidentiality through social media communication during nonworking hours, which “affects bonding among teammates”

Destruction of the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship related to nurses forgetting professionalism while becoming social and discussing their personal lives

Monitoring only minor cases due to a lack of visualization of the “whole patient’s condition” (NCSBN, 2011)

Destroying the image of the employer, as nurses forget their professionalism while communicating on social media

Losing employability related to negative comments posted, then viewed by nursing recruiters frequenting prospective employees profiles (Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, 2013)

Implications In Breaching Patient Privacy• Unprofessional conduct may be an implication

investigated by the Texas BON for the misuse of social media

• Another implication is unethical conduct, which may lead the Texas BON to investigate a nurse for misuse while on social media

• Mismanagement of patient records, revealing privileged patient communication, and a breach of confidentiality are all implications for nurse misuse of social media, which the Texas BON may investigate (Texas BON, 2014, p. 85)

[Untitled illustration of twitter bird ].Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://www.sectioneduk.wordpress.com

Consequences Of Breaching Patient Privacy

• Reprimands or sanctions by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON)

• Assessment of a monetary fine may also be a consequence for the misuse of social media

• Temporary or permanent loss of licensure• If found to have violated federal or state laws, such as

the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), fines, civil or criminal liabilities, and even jail time might be the end result (NCSBN, 2011)

Avoiding Pitfalls In Social Media• Know and adhere to your facility’s privacy policies and social media

procedures• Familiarize yourself with your state’s nurse practice acts, rules and

regulations, as well as HIPAA laws• Read and follow social media guidelines provided by the ANA and

NCSBN • Read closely all terms of any social networking website and be sure

you understand the terms, never assuming all postings are private and not seen by other people

• Don’t make negative comments about people or organizations• Most importantly, never discuss patients or give out any information,

which would allow one to identify them (Brous, 2013)

[ Untitled illustration of a pitfall ]. Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://www.simplyzesty.com/Blog/Article/March-2013/The-Pitfalls-Businesses-Need-To-Avoid-On-Social-Media

Conclusion• Opportunities exist, to take social networking platforms such as

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and transcend nursing into a successful realm where healthcare professionals are able to communicate publically in the most unique ways

• Providing bulletins, educational materials on diseases, disease control, disasters and how to prepare for them, are only a few ways of such unique communication

• An existing innate opportunity to transform today’s new technology into everlasting friendships versus the dreaded foes lurking in anonymity, in anticipation of “that one moment,” which could cost nurses their essence; their licensure

• Educate yourself, know the rules, remember “ignorance is no excuse,” and remember the mnemonic, SNAP, before taking “that photo” or “posting that comment” on the internet

[Untitled illustration of jail bird]. Retrieved April 21, 2015 fromhttps://www.chamberofcommerce.com/business-advice/business/social-media-marketing-pitfalls-and-how-to-avoid-them-5639]

REMEMBER BEFORE YOU SNAP!!!

SmartNursesAlwaysProtect Healthcare Information!

References

American Nurses Association (ANA). (2012) Social networking principles toolkit. Retrieved

on 4/17/15 from

http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/Social-Media/

Social-Networking-Principles-Toolkit.aspx

Brous, E. (2013, May). How to avoid the pitfalls of social media. American Nurse Today,

8(5). Retrieved from http://www.americannursetoday.com/how-to-avoid-the-pitfalls-of-

social-media

Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences. (2013, July 30). Effects of social media on nursing

[Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.blogs.jpmsonline.com/2013/07/30/effects-of-

social-media-on-nursing

 

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2012). Social media guidelines.

Retrieved on 4/17/15 from https://www.ncsbn.org/Social_Media.pdf

Pillai, P. (2012, June). Social media in healthcare: Making the case. Modern Medicare,

49-55. Retrieved from

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/235997869_Social_Media_in_Healthcare

Making_the_Case

Texas Board of Nursing. (2014). Texas board of nursing: Board position statements.

Retrieved from http://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/practice_dept_pdfs/position_statements_pdfs/

BON%20

Position%20Statements%202014.pdf