While healthcare practitioners have unique perspectives on topics of interest to patients, the demand for this information must be balanced with how information is used, who may access it, and who else it can affect.
Take some Commonsense Precautions with Social Media Posts:
If you wouldn’t say it in your waiting room, don’t say it online. Read social media content aloud before you post it. If there’s information you wouldn’t be comfortable announcing to patients, it probably doesn’t belong on social media.
Use caution when replying to comments on review sites and in real-time venues like Twitter. Immediate responses aren’t required, and it’s often better to let some time go by before you reply. Don’t use the patient’s name or specific treatment information, even if the patient’s original post identifies him or her. Dentists do not have the right to defend themselves against negative reviews, especially if the defense runs afoul of privacy laws.
Don’t discuss patients online, even in general terms. Social media makes connecting the dots very easy. Even if you don’t mention your patient’s name, other readers can often identify the individual you’re describing. This is, incidentally, also the reason we encourage clients to report every data breach. Affected patients can easily find others online and trace the breach back to your office.
Don’t mix personal and professional. If you want a personal presence on social media, don’t use your practice page for that sort of interaction.
Assume anything you say online is public information. There’s no expiration date on internet content, and anything you post today may well be accessible a decade from now.
For more HIPAA and OSHA compliance news and tips, check out Smart Training's blog site.