Things that make you go hmmm...Nurse on Twitter?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm not sure about something I just stumbled across, but don't wish to start a heated argument- or attack this nurse- just gain some perspective.

I follow a D-list (not Kathy Griffin) "celebrity" on Twitter, who just asked her followers to follow a person battling cancer. Apparently, one of her wishes is to have 5,000 followers, so I clicked "follow" to help her out & offer my good wishes.

There are lots of posts for wishes for her recovery- which doesn't look great- but there are also many, many, many posts from her nurse, "B," updating her followers on her condition fairly regularly- including her fever/body temperature, state of consciousness and comments like, "her heart stopped beating (this morning)...but we got her back up" and "it's 'B," not 'X,' and she's honestly not doing good (sic)." Since it's the internet, and anonymous, I'm not 100% sure this person is her nurse, but has identified themselves as so on her feed, and is giving hourly updates on this patient's condition. The nurse identifies himself/herself in every post, so it's clear it's not the account holder. To add to the confusion, there also seems to be a back story (no family involved, estrangement, etc.)

Has a terminally ill patient ever asked you to post their condition on the internet to keep their friends informed on their behalf? What would you do? Is there a policy in your hospital against this?

I'm sure you can tell, I'm uncomfortable with this, but with the rapid advancement of technology, is this how things are progressing? Is this ethical?

Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.

What nurse has the time to post anything on Twitter, legal or not?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatric, Hospice.
Call me a skeptic, but the thought crossed my mind that this could be a fabrication. It wouldn't be the first time that someone posted a dramatic "story" and drew others into a caring group.

This wouldn't necessarily be a malicious or intentionally deceitful thing to do. It might just be a fumbling attempt to "create" a story or find a purpose for people to connect with.

If it is true, I hope the "nurse" does have some kind of disclaimer from the patient. Just because there is no family involvement now doesn't mean they won't come forward at some future time.

Hard to say which possibility I would root for.

I thought the same thing.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
What nurse has the time to post anything on Twitter, legal or not?

140 characters or less! Zip-zip-zip! Naahhh kidding.

Trauma - I know lots of families who use Caringbridge too. It provides a great framework. I decided to make a remembrance blog for my mom who passed away in July, and I was surprised that it was as easy as it was. I used a Blogger template. The term "build" a website must have been off-putting to me.

I never put anything in cyberspace that could remotely be related to my work with anything specific.

To the OP - the person you refer to in your post. . . I don't know. . . there is a lot that's "off" about it to me. It's missing things that are typically always included in blogs/facebook pages of that nature.

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I would be very careful with this one!! My hospital would frown on us doing this for the main reason it could absolutely be a HIPAA violation for sure. Who is to say that the patient themself or a disgruntled family member may not step forward and claim it was a breach in confidentiality - whether identifying information was given or not! If the PATIENT'S name is listed, then I believe it is an absolute violation whether they asked you to do it or not. I would politely explain to the patient that you are not allowed to do that by law and that if they want notification of their condition posted, then have a family member or NON-medical person post the information.

Didn't this kind of happen in California?? A well known celebrity was in the hospital and a few employees of that hospital started informing others IN WRITING about the patient's condition --- they were all fined, fired, and had to answer to their state boards.

When in doubt, DON'T!!!! Good rule to follow.

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My mind always goes back to HIPPA privacy.Did she sign a consent saying that a nurse can post her private information and I agree allow a family member to make post because if something arises legally the nurse is responsible!!!:nurse:

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
. . . Didn't this kind of happen in California?? A well known celebrity was in the hospital and a few employees of that hospital started informing others IN WRITING about the patient's condition --- they were all fined, fired, and had to answer to their state boards. When in doubt, DON'T!!!! Good rule to follow.

Yeah that happens a lot here. A bunch of people at the Kaiser hospital where "octomom"'s babies were born were fired for accessing her EMR without authorization. D-U-M-B. There is a hospital here in LA where a large number of celebrities go. They do a good job of protecting their privacy most of the time but there will always be those bad apples who care more about publicity and/or $$$ than they do about their jobs. . . and good riddance I say!

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Specializes in Dialysis,M/S,Home Care,LTC, Admin,Rehab.

I watched a bit on the news yesterday and this guy was literally tweeting while having an MI, how he felt with the morphine, then being prepped for his CABG.

He even video recorded himself while he was twittering. Wow.

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