Am I violating confidentiality?

[SepehrThePepper]

Hi,

I am thinking about blogging my crazy and ridiculous interactions/shifts with patients. If I do not disclose the patients name and just talk about what happened. Would that violate HIPPA or patient confidentiality? Obviously patients name, gender and most of their history is not going to be disclosed.. but I thought I would get a second opinion! Thank you!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would consider not only patient privacy laws but also the employer's social media policy. There's a thread here somewhere about a nurse who was fired for posting a picture of himself at work and making comments. Personally, it wouldn't be worth it to me to stress over what can/can't be posted and not endanger my job.

[chare]

In my opinion, you have to ask if it is/isn't okay, you probably shouldn't do it.

[Ponymom2]

..... Oh good lord.... Lol

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

I don’t think I would. The craziest stories are often the ones that are one of a kind, and therefore easily identifiable. You never know when one of your blog posts would go viral and be read by millions of people— and then it would be super easy for someone to recognize that your “crazy patient” was their crazy uncle (or their crazy self!). I would avoid putting any of it in print.

[turtlesRcool]

I don't think a blog would be a good idea.

People on AN get away with telling the "crazy" stories because we are all anonymous. I have no idea where other AN posters work, not even their states. The chances of anyone connecting a "crazy" story here to a particular patient/family/coworker is exceedingly slim.

On the contrary, when you write a blog, it's much easier for people to identify you, your work place, and subsequently the "real" people involved. It just doesn't seem worth the risk.

[Sue Damonas, BSN]

Don't do it, just don't do it.