Facebook complaints from Patients

[nursefor'ire]

Have any of you ever experienced a situation where a patient was complaining about his care online on Facebook? Are there any legal implications or can patients post anything they want about their care? Since nurses are not allowed to post information that could lead back to someone they've cared for or speak about it in public, what are the rules for patients? Are there any?

[hope3456, ASN, RN]

Interesting question. I doubt there are any rules regarding what they post about staff but what if they posted about another patient?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

How would you know that a random patient was complaining on Facebook, unless you are somehow otherwise connected with them?

In any event ... the general public is not bound by HIPAA, nor any other reason that would prevent them from airing positive or negative comments in any public forum they wish, including social media.

[Asystole RN]

1) How do you know the patient is complaining? You are not stalking your patients online are you?

2) See your state's statutes relating to libel.

3) Read the HIPAA guidelines.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

How are you seeing his Facebook posts?

[SubSippi]

The patient can link his or her post to the healthcare facility's Facebook page, I think most hospitals have them now.

[ellaballet]

We have a patient who has been at our hospital for many many years, for a while he was facebook friends with some of the staff..Apparently he was posting paragraph long rants about specific people caring for him, when someone called him out on it he defriended everyone lol. I wonder if he still does it..and if so what he has to say about me!

[OCNRN63, RN]

Never, ever "friend" patients. It can only lead to a world of hurt.

[nursefor'ire]

No not friends with him. Manager became aware of it because her daughter was. Just wondering if normal slander/libel laws apply.