We can easily say that within the last ten years social media has changed the way in which the world spreads information. Social media has touched every form of business and healthcare is no exception. Social media has helped large and small hospital systems define their personalities and reach out to their patients in new ways.

 

For nurses the explosion of social media has introduced a variety of interesting challenges. It is currently estimated that over 70% of nurses regularly use social media. That is a tremendous amount and cannot be disregarded. Although social media has helped nurses connect with one another and share inspirational and educational material it also created a variety of concerns related to patient safety and patient privacy rights.

 

For most nurses their day involves interactions with patients. Patients, who according to the laws of the specific state, require a level of privacy in regards to their medical information. Sadly, there have been numerous cases involving nurses posting photos or statements identifying patients or compromising their privacy in some way. In other situations, nurses have been found to have posted/used social media at the moment of a specific patient error. Oftentimes, this was discovered upon a formal investigation into the matter (meaning the nurse was distracted at the time and compromised patient safety). In most cases, the nurse received severe disciplinary action. In other circumstances, negligence was determined and legal proceedings were enabled.

 

Unlike other jobs in which it may be okay to vent about a rude customer or a frustrating day, in the case of nurses the risk of accidentally compromising a patient's privacy rights and the policies of their organization is very present. Most organizations have in place some form of social media policy (if for some reason your organization does not - petition for one). A consistent policy at the organizational level can help staff understand what is expected of them in regards to social media.

 

It is important to remember that the internet is a wide reaching place with a very long memory. Posts, pictures, and other content in general will stay online and be available for a very long time. Even non-nursing related items such as statements or pictures of partying, offensive or vulgar items, and racially motivated items can have negative effects on both a nurse's career and a nurse's professional reputation. Although it may seem odd, patients regularly search through social media to learn more about their health care team. Offensive, worrying, or insensitive items have been reported to hospital administrators as grounds for a change in the assigned health care team.

 

In the end, it is up to nursing staff to behave in a responsible, empathetic, and ethical manner in regards to social media. Social media can be used to expand a professional network, quickly learn new information, and to connect personally with friends and co-workers; however, it can quickly lead to a patient safety or privacy issue if used inappropriately.