Question about "stories"

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Growing up, my mom was a therapist. She would always tell me stories about her clients, but OBVIOUSLY she would never tell me their name, age, gender, race, etc. I now work as a CNA and some of the things that happen each day make me SO happy I want to share it with the world. I am brand new, and I'm wondering if someone that is well-versed in HIPAA could tell me if it's illegal or not to share these stories if I give out no other information? Example, "This guy at work today finally learned to walk again! So happy!". Something like that.

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If you are talking about social media... Don't do it!!! I know it's tempting. I avoid any reference to patient's, even the most vague, on the internet because once it's out there you have no control over who shares it. Also, once it's out there it is out there permanently.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

Definitely nothing posted online - learn from prior threads. General rule of thumb: if you have to question yourself whether to say anything, then you just better not.

I think we all understand though & everybody needs to "release" a little bit. I don't see a huge problem with talking to your significant other about a good/bad pt IF you do as you mentioned above with absolutely no identifying info; keep it very general & don't make a habit of it.

In the past year, I've taken care of my husband's football/track coach & one of his classmates & each time, I darn near bit my tongue off keeping that info in!

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

To your friends/family in passing conversation, it's fine as long as you don't give away identifying information. Keep in mind though, that extremely unique situations are identifying in and of themselves. (IE: "My patient with two heads learned to walk today", there is a good chance there is only one person in town with two heads).

As others said, NEVER, EVER post about patients on social media. It's just too risky, and you never know who will figure out what, etc.

Something vague, such as "I love helping people learn to walk again" is totally fine, but as a rule I never mention "my patient". If that makes sense. :-)

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

Welcome to AN!

Share with your family and friends without names and similar information....but NEVER EVER on social media....case in point....ABC TV:NY Med shows ER nurse fired due to social media

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Just stay off the social networks like FB with any mention of your work with patients. Short term satisfaction from making the comment, no matter how vague, does not trump the trouble that can come of you making that comment.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

If looking through all of the threads at AN about posters who got in trouble by posting stuff on social media doesn't convince you not to do it, then I don't know what will.

In that case, good luck. And don't be surprised when (not a question of if, but when) it blows up in your face.

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Specializes in NICU.

I would like to point out that the original question had nothing to do with social media. She asked about sharing, but she did not say that she wanted to do so via social media.

I work in the NICU, and I occasionally will tell my mom things like, "One of our babies who has been with us a long time went home today," or, "We had a loss today." It's all very vague, but there are some things, both good and bad, that I want to share with someone. I am careful not to offer identifying information.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I would like to point out that the original question had nothing to do with social media. She asked about sharing, but she did not say that she wanted to do so via social media.

Well the OP did indicate a social media post...
I now work as a CNA and some of the things that happen each day make me SO happy I want to share it with the world.
"This guy at work today finally learned to walk again! So happy!".
Sharing it with the world isn't the family dinner table.
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Specializes in NICU.

I read it more like the cliche-ish figure of speech, "That made me so happy, I want to share it with the world!" Which is different from, "That made me so happy that I want to post it on Twitter so the entire world can hear about it!"

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I read it more like the cliche-ish figure of speech, "That made me so happy, I want to share it with the world!" Which is different from, "That made me so happy that I want to post it on Twitter so the entire world can hear about it!"

I have teenagers...:facepalm: EVERYTHING is social media!

They are pretty good but I police them regularly. ;)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I have teenagers...:facepalm: EVERYTHING is social media!

They are pretty good but I police them regularly. ;)

Agreed. In 1994, I would unhesitatingly agree with nicurn29's interpretation of "share it with the world."

But in 2014, someone saying that is more likely thinking about how they're going to word what they want to share on their Facebook/Twitter/Blogspot blog.

OP: if you want to tell stories in person, be very careful and remove as much identifying information as possible. Like others have said, even though something may not technically be PHI--such as that patient having two heads or the fact that your patient was picked up for streaking naked through the convention in town--any info that could possibly be used to suss out a patient's identity could lead to a HIPAA violation.

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