HIPAA

[ThePPnurse]

I was recently fired for venting about a reckless COVID patient on a social media site. I did not post any PHI but my face was recognized in my profile and my location of employment was disclosed by another. My boss fired me for violating HIPAA even though I did not post any PHI nor my place of employment. It was posted by another. Is that me violating HIPAA? or was my first amendment right of freedom of speech violated? I'm not upset with my place of employment I understand the admins need to protect the facility. I just want clarification and I cant seem to find it on any HIPAA websites.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Your first amendment right only guarantees that the government will not restrict your right to say things. That doesn’t necessarily mean what you say will be free of repercussions. Most likely you violated the facility’s social media policy.