DO's…
- Post relevant and compelling content about your experiences and pride in your workplace through articles, photos, and videos.
- Share NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health, government agencies, university, and medical association content.
- Be aware that the smallest details can be used to identify a patient. See real-life example below.
- Create original content!
- Utilize location tagging to connect your posts with hospital and clinic locations as appropriate.
- Be cautious of computer monitors, patients, or any patient information in the background of your photos.
- Offer your professional point-of-view without providing specific medical advice.
- Express enthusiasm and analysis when engaging in other content.
- Promote your professional partnerships/events e.g. speaking engagements, press coverage, accolades, etc.
- Consider recommended post length per network:
- LinkedIn: 50-100 characters
- Twitter: 280 characters max
- Facebook: 40-80 characters
- If you make a factual error in a post, update it with a correction.
DON'TS...
- Post inappropriate or offensive messages/images that could be interpreted as libelous or defamatory.
- Provide specific medical advice.
- Don’t post “gossip” about a patient, even if the name is not disclosed. See real-life example below.
- Post content published by competitors.
- Geotag your home or any private location.
- Use trademarked or registered images, wording or phrases e.g. Google images
- Distribute spam and chain messages.
- Share photographs or any form of PHI without the written consent of a patient.
- Share updates, images, and messages that may damage the company’s public image.
Social Media Issues to be mindful of:
Be aware that the smallest details can be used to identify a patient.
Real life example:
- A paramedic posted information on a social media site about a sexual assault victim. Although the victim's name was not disclosed, the paramedic detailed enough information in the post that the media was able to discover the identity of the victim and where she lived. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the paramedic and the emergency service he worked for due to privacy violations.
Don’t post “gossip” about a patient, even if the name is not disclosed.
Real life examples:
- A few nurses who work together in a hospital emergency department were fired for discussing patients on a social media site. Even though they did not post any identifying information, they still violated the hospital's HIPAA policy.
- A nurse was fired after posting on her social media page about an alleged cop-killer she treated even though she did not discuss the details of his condition, his name or any other identifying information. This one detail was enough to identify the individual.