How kosher is it that we chat about our patients on this public forum?
Being a recent grad I am so used to the educational environment of discussing patients amongst peers, and I think a lot of people feel that is the case here, however how much is too much?
I try very, very hard NOT to list patient stories, even though some of them I would love to tell. I reserve one special story about my first loss of a patient to cancer for sharing because I know he would want me to continue to learn and grow from his experience. (His life and advice caused me to pursue a few major goals, like moving six states from home to be with the one person in the world for me, my fiancee).
How do you personally deal with the need to explain stories, but not violate confidentiality?
Taitter
Addendum: Since a lot of people will read the initial post, and then comment (which is fine) I feel I need to clarify. This thread is about HIPPA and the forums, incited by a post which discussed in detail a patient and thier situation. I was attempting to point out how easy it is to ascertain information on a patient by knowing where the POSTER is posting from (ie city, state etc).
I used myself as an example, I previously posted my location, in my profile because I DO NOT discuss my patients in an open forum. Therefore the risk of a HIPPA violation for me is not something I feel I run the risk of. Therefore I do not feel is completely necessary to conceal my city, especially a large metropolitan area.
My post was misconstrued and became a conversation about my personal "anonymity" values.
I have removed my location now just because now I DO suddenly feel there might be more of a personal risk here than I previously thought. I guess we tend to think we, personally, are safe among our peers, but I have rethought this.
I don't often start posts, I prefer to stay in the First Year Nursing category and offer support there as I have just completed my first year and have some insight into newbie fears.
I am not sure if this clears things up, but if this thread continues to be about me personally I will have to ask for it to be removed.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
well... you are right about hippa and all that...
you are also putting yourself out there... you don't have to say where you work,.. or what city you are from...that was your call... and always will be on these forums...
this is private for nurses.... you know how to handle it...
don't give too much information if everyone knows where you are and what you do....
look @ my profile........
Don't get me wrong, I am not concerned about my personal security. I posted my information as I did because I am believe it gives me a more personable and real persona. I am a child of the internet and gave my phone number to some creep that my mom chewed out on the phone when I was a wee 16. It was a nice scare and has always kept me watching what I post since. I know what I am comfortable posting and what I am not.
I am merely describing the ways that people can ascertain information about our patients, in ways that seems very simple and non-obtrusive. I used myself as an example, not as a cry for help.
Anyway, I still believe that even if people don't know your field of work, location etc that posting stories about patients can be risky.
I think just using common sense is enough to prevent people from revealing too much information. Just think before you post anything that you're on the fence about posting.
I have been here since 2001 and when I first joined, I did put the itty bitty town that I live in - it would take no one any time at all to track me down. However, as time has gone on, I have only alluded to living in central IL and am very, very careful about details which I change from fact.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
Well hey if everyone seems to think it is such a big deal that I post Atlanta, GA (which was totally not the topic I intended this post to be about at all) then maybe I should go with the crowd and go against 29 years of my own judgement.
./shrug
Still doesn't mean I am going to post personal stories about my patients and feel comfortable. I vent to two people in my life, my mom and my fiancee, and even to them I don't give all the details. Our society has shut off our ability to talk freely, and that is just the way it is.
Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.
I would just advise to make the post as annonymous as possible. Many times the fine details are not relevant to the discussion.
For example, do not mention location, floor, hospital, names, sex of pt, unless relevant to story, date or anything that could identify the specific situation.
Keeping these and other tips already mentioned above, I don't think there would be a problem. I'm sure others could offer more suggestions or examples of "do's and don'ts".
As for not having your location in your profile, I don't think that is necessary. But each of you can decide that.
I have not read anything on here that would clue me into who the patient is, unless it was a news article about a person that was the topic. Even at that, nothing that was not already reported in the news. But I will add, that the post I just read after writing this is pretty bad. It the one from new jersey rn, tells way too much, someone will probably figure out who it is on here.
I have not read anything on here that would clue me into who the patient is, unless it was a news article about a person that was the topic. Even at that, nothing that was not already reported in the news.
You must have missed the "what would you have done" thread which, my guess, is what spurred this thread.
Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
I think if your concerned about HIPPA, you abide by common sense and anonymity, I don't recall anyone saying Mrs. Smith XX yrs old living in 1234 Anytown Lane, Anywhere USA was admitted for XYZ in ABC Hospital blah blah blah, eventhe 'have you ever taken care of someone famous' thread and 'the most disgusting thing that has happened to you"(or something like that) threadsdidn't violate anyone's privacy, and there were some pretty detailed events ...If your concerned your profile will narrow down your place of employment and potentially lead to a violation of someones privacy, then change/omitt/delete it
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
You must have missed the "what would you have done" thread which, my guess, is what spurred this thread.
Yes it was. I just thought an open discussion on the topic might be good. I personally have my own lines I will not cross, and one is talking about patients, in any form, on an open forum.
Tait, MSN, RN
2,142 Posts
Don't get me wrong, I am not concerned about my personal security. I posted my information as I did because I am believe it gives me a more personable and real persona. I am a child of the internet and gave my phone number to some creep that my mom chewed out on the phone when I was a wee 16. It was a nice scare and has always kept me watching what I post since. I know what I am comfortable posting and what I am not.
I am merely describing the ways that people can ascertain information about our patients, in ways that seems very simple and non-obtrusive. I used myself as an example, not as a cry for help.
Anyway, I still believe that even if people don't know your field of work, location etc that posting stories about patients can be risky.
Tait