Protocol: HIPAA & Social Media Strategies for Hospitals and Physicians

Many healthcare organizations are struggling with the use of social media is that they are hesitant to communicate with patients online due to the fear of violating HIPAA, the privacy act that restricts hospitals or physician groups from using private patient information to promote products or services without permission.

A simple rule to maintain patient privacy in social networks is that physicians should avoid talking about patients, even anonymously.  That doesn’t mean they can’t find inspiration from a patient however, only that they write about the illness or condition as the subject, not the patient.

Another good idea is to give posts the “elevator test” before publishing. Read the post out loud, and if any part of it makes you uncomfortable to say in public, you probably shouldn’t post it.