1. Social Media’s Pit: Avoid the Fall
TTUHSC School of Nursing
Laurie Crider
June 15, 2015

2. 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)

3. Presentation Overview
Common misconceptions
Advantages of social networking
Disadvantages encountered
Implications of breaching patient privacy
Consequences of breaching patient privacy
Avoiding the pitfalls

4. 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)

5. 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)
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6. 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)

7. 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)
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Retrieved April 21, 2015 from

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. REMEMBER BEFORE YOU SNAP!!!
Smart Nurses Always Protect Healthcare Information!
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12. References
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2012) Social networking principles toolkit. Retrieved on 4/17/15 from
Brous, E. (2013, May). How to avoid the pitfalls of social media. American Nurse Today, 8(5). Retrieved from
Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences. (2013, July 30). Effects of social media on nursing [Blog post]. Retrieved from

13. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2012)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2012). Social media guidelines.
Retrieved on 4/17/15 from
Pillai, P. (2012, June). Social media in healthcare: Making the case. Modern Medicare,
Retrieved from
Making_the_Case
Texas Board of Nursing. (2014). Texas board of nursing: Board position statements.
Retrieved from
Position%20Statements% pdf