Newborn pictures posted on social media?

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Is it a HIPAA violation if a nurse posts a picture of a newborn on social media with no other names or identifiers? The image reveals face of the newborn as the nurse holds the baby. Although some say all babies may not be easily identifiable, social media have date and time of postings displayed to determine if the nurse was working at the time. This seems so confusing!

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It's not confusing, at all. The baby is a patient and the patient's picture should not be put up on any nurse's facebook page.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

It is not confusing at all....do NOT post anything patient related on FB. PERIOD. What is it with this obsession to post every detail of your life in the public eye? ANYTHING to do with the patients and facility stays OFF social media!

We had an extensive discussion about this recently....If she posted it on her FB is it a HIPAA violation. https://allnurses.com/hipaa-nursing-challenges/pts-fb-pictures-901379.html

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Makes sense to me... but my confusion lies in the audience of the post. No other healthcare professional, administrator spoke up and thought it should not have been posted on social media which is concerning so it continues. Many of us love our careers. We get great joy and gratification from the opportunity to be in this profession without having to post it on social media. Thank you both for your responses and sharing the link to the discussion.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's no different than if someone posts a picture of Mom and Dad. That baby could be identified by its picture...maybe not as readily as an adult could, but still identifiable nonetheless. Don't do it.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

From National Council State Board of Nursing

Video: Social Media Guidelines for Nurses

White Paper: A Nurse's Guide to the Use of Social Media

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
Makes sense to me... but my confusion lies in the audience of the post. No other healthcare professional, administrator spoke up and thought it should not have been posted on social media which is concerning so it continues.

Do you mean other professionals that she is FB friends with didn't say anything? Just making sure I understand correctly. If that's the case, they might have just not wanted the confrontation. Or they could have said something to her privately, rather than FB message. Or they could have not said anything to her, but reported her.

Even if nothing comes up with it now though, that 1) doesn't make it right and 2) doesn't mean it won't come up in the future. Like when she applies for another job, and they decide to look her up on social media which some employers do.

It was a really unwise move, not to mention a HIPAA vio.

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If you just had a baby, would you want a stranger to take a picture of it and post it on Facebook? Probably not.

Besides the fact that it's against the law, it's wrong.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Get a real looking baby doll, wrap it up, get in your gear and snap away.

I don't get this obsession with posting these pictures.

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Depends...how was the picture taken?

I have tons of pictures that I have posted with me and babies on Facebook..pictures that were taken by the parents.. but sent to me via Facebook AFTER discharge.

That isn't a HIPAA violation and it doesn't violate our facility policy, because after discharge, the professional relationship is over.

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Specializes in MDS/ UR.
Depends...how was the picture taken?

I have tons of pictures that I have posted with me and babies on Facebook..pictures that were taken by the parents.. but sent to me via Facebook AFTER discharge.

That isn't a HIPAA violation and it doesn't violate our facility policy, because after discharge, the professional relationship is over.

Yikes, the pictures and Facebook interactions with past patients you allude to worries me.

You are opening yourself up for so much.

All it takes is one....

What if a former patient decides to sue?

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I would never do this. I love my patients and work in a clinic where I have a regular relationships with patients. I would never take pictures of them and I would never friend them on Facebook. It takes just one wrong post, one wrong word to get you in a lot of trouble. Just not worth it.

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