Posting picture on social media

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Specializes in Postpartum, PICU.

I got to participate in a wonderful OR immersion program and I got to scrub in for a few surgeries. Being that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I had my picture taken with the scrub tech after the case was over. Am I allowed to post this on social media?

There is NOTHING WHATSOEVER identifying any patient or brands OR the hospital itself anywhere in the picture. The background is literally the wall and only the scrub tech and I are visible along with part of the back table. Even then, we are both wearing OR masks, gowns, and gloves, but I covered his face and he is completely unidentifiable too. So, might I get in trouble for posting? I went as far as reading the hospital's social media policy for employees and there is nothing regarding this particular situation. I'm just so paranoid, I've heard stories!

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Why take the risk?

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Specializes in Mental Health.

You are asking the wrong people...

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

I would not do it!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Err on the side of caution and do not post it.

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If you have to ask yourself if it's okay, you probably shouldn't.

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If you have to ask yourself if it's okay, you probably shouldn't.

Was just about to post this

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Specializes in Postpartum, PICU.

Thank you all for your input. I guess I was just wondering on what grounds could I potentially get in trouble since there exists no HIPAA violation or anything of the sort. But better to be safe than sorry! :)

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Based on your description, GO FOR IT. Maybe crop the pt's face off the photo or cover it with an Emoji.

I have done similar on social media over the years.

Have not been reprimanded for my photos in my nursing career.

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Based on your description, GO FOR IT. Maybe crop the pt's face off the photo or cover it with an Emoji.

I definitely wouldn't cover it with an emoji, that could definitely be construed as disrespectful.

A few years ago, four nursing students were expelled for posting a Facebook picture posing next to a placenta, which obviously had no identifying factors. They were punished for lack of professionalism, not as a HIPPA violation.

Also, I could definitely see your school interpreting it as inappropriate for you to have a phone out taking pictures of yourself and others in the OR at all, even if the surgical team was OK with it.

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