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Patient Privacy Violations

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Introduction
Social media has promoted communication. It has gathered people from all over the world to interact electronically without any movement. Social media tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Blogs and Twitter have enabled people to exchange information irrespective of where the person is located. Despite its advantages, social media may negatively affect healthcare because the healthcare providers are supposed to maintain confidentiality on patient’s personal information and medical history. The healthcare providers are supposed to comply with HIPAA privacy and security rule while using social media in order to evade lawsuits as a result of disclosing patient’s information on social media platforms. Based on Rienton (2013) examples, it …show more content…
The providers should thus be careful while describing patients to avoid penalties (ECRI, 2011). A policy that would necessitate the review of all patients’ descriptions by appointed personnel in relation to HIPAA privacy rules should be used to ensure that the patients have been de-identified. The policies should indicate the possession and usage of patients’ photos. The providers should receive authority from the patients to use their photos. In addition, training should address the effects of violating a patient privacy. The staff should be aware of the fines and penalties that the facility may face for Violating HIPAA rules (ECRI, 2011). The providers should also be aware of the disciplinary actions for using social media in a manner that infringes on patients’ …show more content…
In addition, the student should set up borders even between family and friends, keep privacy settings reviewed and updated, keep patient information private inclusive of their assigned work units, identify the audience and whether the postings will affect the nursing profession and their professional image (Schmitt, Sims-Giddens & Booth, 2012). According to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons et al. (2012), HIPAA was enacted in 1996. The regulation was meant to protect privacy on the patient. Alternatively, it allows disclosure of patient care information and other processes or payment or treatment purposes. The HIPAA privacy rule protects an individual’s identifiable health information (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons et al., 2012). In addition, HIPAA security rule is part of HIPAA that addresses the protection of electronic health information. HIPAA ensures that patient information shall not be shared with units or parties not involved in patient

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