Is this a HIPAA violation?

[studentCL2009]

I have a friend on Facebook who works (not a nurse, but works at the desk) in the ER at a hospital in my area. She sometimes posts things on facebook that happen at work in the ER. Recently, I saw that she made a post about the shift she was working, the department she works in(ER), what her job is(checking pts in). It does say on her FB page which hospital she works in, but that info was not in the actual post I am referring to. So in this specific post, she wrote about something that happened that night in the ER. She was saying that a lady and child came in to the ER and she checked them in, the child was acting like she was abused she could tell by her body language. She wrote a long post about this an that CPS was called (not sure if the hospital called or she did on her own), an that she hopes the lady rots in h***. Anyway, she did not write any of their names or anything, but just told the story about what happened. Is that a HIPPA violation? I have just started nursing school and am really curious about this. I know I personally would NOT post that type of info, but still would like other input.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Not a HIPAA violation but very poor judgment.

[vanburbian]

Could get her fired. Seen it before, and seeing it more and more often.

Even if not a HIPAA violation, poor taste.

If I went to an ER, I certainly would not expect my private details to be posted on some employees FB page.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Agree, not a HIPAA violation.

But ... the more personal something is, the more emotional it makes you feel ... the LESS likely it is that you should put it on Facebook.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Let's say the lady's Aunt Tillie knew she had brought the child to the ER at that hospital that night and happened to be a friend of a friend of a friend and read that. Let's say Aunt Tillie did something about it. I believe it's a HIPAA violation because it's possible the woman and child could be identified.

Even if it's not a HIPAA violation, it's a fire-able offense.

[I<3H2O, BSN, RN]

ITA with Whispera on this one. Your "friend" should be really, really careful!

[oklahomagal]

In my personal opinion its pretty darn close to a hippa violation, and definitely poor taste. Heres my reason why it might be: if the lady(er worker) was friends with any of her co workers on fb and they were not doing the patient's care at the time,( so they didnt need to know anything about patients situation) and they read the post and walked around the corner and saw the lady in the ER with her daughter and they were able to reasonably identify who the post was about, then it would be a hippa violation.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Oh, this one is a toughie. I would have to agree with Whispera. Your co-worker should be called to the carpet for this.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Oh, I must further add that if somehow this FB post actually did actually get recognized by someone who might know the woman and child described and rumors start flying about this woman, she may NOT seek further treatment for her child, abuse or not. Ultimately, the child is hurt in the end.

Perhaps you can talk to your co-worker and propose this scenario to him/her to offer a different point of view in how seemingly innocent posts can cause a great deal of harm.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

No, not a HIPAA violation, but definitely a MYOB violation on your part.

[rn/writer, RN]

She is setting herself up for trouble. If anyone at the hospital ever got wind of this, the powers that be could easily (and rightfully) decide that they need some with better judgment and greater discretion at the check-in desk.

It may not technically be a HIPAA violation, but it certainly is disrespectful of the patients and incredibly foolish, to boot. If she were anyone I knew, I'd strongly encourage her to delete, not only every remark she's ever made about a patient, but any reference to her workplace and job on her page, period. And hope like heck that it isn't too late.

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

HIPAA violation

Thanks for that, M!