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
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 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
    drug discount cards
    Drug Discount Cards: Lifting the Veil of Secrecy
    August 28, 2013
    Ingredients of an Effective Antibiotic Stewardship Program: Be Sure to Add Health IT and Medical Device Innovation
    June 15, 2012
    alzheimer's gene
    Infants with Alzheimer’s Gene Already Show Brain Development Differences
    November 30, 2013
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 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
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

Google+ Local: How It Impacts Your Medical Practice
Doctors and Social Media – Two Photos Which Could Prompt State Boards to Investigate
Direct-to-Consumer Advertising Still Influences Prescribing
Hospital Social Media Success: Even More Attention Than Expected
Study: Facebook “Likes” Just as Good as Any Other Quality Measure

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

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Kindred Healthcare Inc. To Pay $125 Million to Settle Allegations of False Claims

February 9, 2016

Hospitals Turn to Social Media for Patient Feedback

August 29, 2013
MarketingSocial Media

7 Tips To Make Sure Your Medical Practice Is Found Online

March 22, 2019

The Healthcare Social Media Landscape

June 3, 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?