By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    benefits of using protein powder to build muscles
    Protein Powder for Muscle Mass: Everything You Need to Know
    December 12, 2021
    changes brought on by blockchain in healthcare
    Technology In The Healthcare Industry
    March 28, 2022
    What Does Core Body Temperature Say About Health?
    August 17, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    FDA Approves Diabetes Pill
    May 2, 2011
    Patient Gets Drunk on Hand Sanitizer
    June 20, 2011
    Cultivating Health Improvement
    July 20, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Employee Makes Fun of Patient on Facebook
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Medical Ethics > Employee Makes Fun of Patient on Facebook
Medical EthicsSocial Media

Employee Makes Fun of Patient on Facebook

thielst
Last updated: January 5, 2012 9:47 am
thielst
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

When will our employees learn not to identify patients on Facebook or any other social media site.  This recent example goes beyond a simple error in judgment to a complete disregard for patient privacy and respect by the employee of a staffing agency working at a hospital in Southern California.

When will our employees learn not to identify patients on Facebook or any other social media site.  This recent example goes beyond a simple error in judgment to a complete disregard for patient privacy and respect by the employee of a staffing agency working at a hospital in Southern California.

The patient involved sought treatment for an STD and the employee took a picture of her medical record and posted it on his Facebook page with the comment:  “Funny, but this patient came in to cure her VD and get birth control.”

I’ve read the article a couple of times and discussed it with other healthcare leaders.  The following come to mind:

More Read

mHealth
5 Top iPhone Apps To Track Your Health
TEDMED Great Challenges: Improving Medical Communication-Part 2
Crowdfunding American Veterans – A Brilliant Idea
Social Media Office Visits and Mobile Apps
Health Care Social Media Summit at Mayo Clinic

1.  First, there is the policy and staff training/education that must occur by all providers on social media in the healthcare setting.

2.  Beyond the policy and training, we need to consider the character of the person we are hiring or bringing into our environment of care.  They may be the best ER nurse in the world, but if they have a complete disregard for patient privacy and respect, you may not want them working with your patients.

3.  Clues may come from looking at what it is like to work with someone.  This agency employee’s response to the post is that he would leave the post up and he writes:

“People, it’s just Facebook… Not reality.  Hello?  Again…It’s just a name out of millions and millions of names.  If some people can’t appreciate my humor than tough.  And if you don’t like it too bad because it’s my wall and I’ll post what I want to. Cheers!”

Is this his attitude with co-workers about other disagreements?  Is this really someone we want working in healthcare or any other caring profession?

4. Contracts with vendors, including staffing agencies, should already address their employee use of social media … in line with your organization’s policy.  And, their staff should be trained before they are allowed to begin working with your patients and in your healthcare environment.

5. The younger generations of healthcare workers are using social media, especially on mobile devices, on a daily and hourly basis.  As healthcare leaders, we need to educate and guide them in understanding the boundaries between their personal and professional lives. 

6.  As Thomas Friedman states in his book, The World is Flat, “we really do have to find ways to affect the imagination of those who would use the tools of collaboration to destroy the world that has invented those tools.”

7.  Disbarment:  The Feds have a list of disbarred individuals who have inappropriately used federal funds.  I think it is time that they create a new list of individuals who are disbared from ever caring, treating or working around Federal beneficiaries.  This guy should be first on the list!

TAGGED:facebook
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

How Much of Online Health Information Is Correct?

January 4, 2013

NHS Nurses Wear “Do Not Disturb” Uniforms

August 30, 2011

Likes, Fans and Followers: 5 Ways to Create a Winning Facebook Page for Your Hospital

October 12, 2016

Social Network for Patients, Doctors and Caregivers

September 1, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?