Social media has become the main source for public conversations.
While it may seem like just about everyone can freely brag or complain about their jobs on their favorite social media platform — health care workers, students and med center employees are an exception. As a reminder, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine has a social media guidance to help avoid HIPAA violations and the misuse of social media.
Nebraska Medicine’s Kayla Thomas recently highlighted the issue:
It’s not unusual to share our daily lives on social media. A new restaurant we checked out. A concert we’re excited to see. Pictures from our children’s dance recital. An account of a great (or terrible) day at work.
*Insert record scratch noise*
Oh, wait. We work in health care.
While it may seem like just about everyone can freely brag or complain about their jobs on their favorite social media platform, health care workers are an exception. Recently, the Nebraska Medicine Privacy Office has seen an uptick in incidents involving our colleagues and improper use of social media. So here are a few reminders from your friendly Media Relations and Privacy teams.
Med center colleagues can read her full article at this link.
Under the Nebraska Medicine Social Media Policy, MI24, discussing patient care events on social media, even if no names are used, is prohibited.
Take a minute to look through some of the recent high-profile incidents in the news:
- Four Labor and Delivery nurses were fired after posting a TikTok video about patient “icks”
- LeBonheur fires nurses who mocked child gunshot victims on TikTok
Remember, HIPAA extends beyond social media. Do not take pictures, record video or video chat on personal devices in any area where a patient (or any patient information) can be seen. Do not send that photo or video to others.
If you have questions about sharing information about patient care, contact the Nebraska Medicine and UNMC’s Privacy Office.
This is also a friendly reminder to think twice before engaging in heated conversations or venting online.
Is your place of employment listed online? Is it in your Facebook bio? Do you have a LinkedIn profile under the same name you use on social media? If so, organizational policies require you to take precautions to indicate that you are engaging in social media activity as a private person and not as an employee, agent or spokesperson of Nebraska Medicine or UNMC. Consider adding a disclaimer of “The views expressed in this [blog, website, group, tweet, post] are my own and do not reflect the views of UNMC.”
Here are some following tips to consider before posting online:
- Nothing is private: Remember that what you post will remain discoverable. Private comments can be screenshot and shared. The internet never forgets.
- Avoid defamatory, offensive or derogatory content: Such content could be considered a violation of UNMC’s anti-harassment policy if it is directed toward colleagues, students, partners or those we serve.
- Be mindful of context: Evaluate your intentions. Before posting anything on social media, ask yourself three questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
- Use disclaimers: Ensure others know that your personal account and statements do not represent UNMC. What you write is your responsibility. We advise using a disclaimer such as “opinions are my own” to avoid misunderstandings.
- Let the experts respond: If you come across complaints about UNMC or our primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, or notice instances that might be considered a crisis through social media, please bring it to the attention of UNMC Strategic Communications. Do not respond on UNMC’s behalf.
- Do not express political opinions or engage in political activities: Your political opinions can only be expressed in your individual capacity on your own social media accounts and, even then, avoid the appearance that you are speaking or acting for the university in political matters.
- Ask for advice: Unsure if a post is appropriate? Reach out to UNMC Strategic of Communications Department.
Other platforms to consider:
Take time to think about conversations with your colleagues in Microsoft Teams. Teams chat may feel like social media, but as with all work-related communication, professionalism is expected. It is permissible to include PHI in appropriate Teams communication, but remember, Teams communications can be audited to ensure compliance. So, before you hit send, ask yourself what the Privacy Office would think if it read your comment.
For more information, read UNMC’s social media guidelines.