Violating HIPAA?

[FuturePN]

A social media post just says "nursing is all fun and games until you see a lice infestation!"

No mention of work place, patient, etc. Not listed under persons profile where they work.

Violation?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Violation of HIPAA? No. HIPAA requires disclosure of protected health information.

Violation of patient privacy? Possibly. If the individual also lists his/her work place on the profile and/or it is a small community where the clients of that workplace are easily identified (a school nurse in a small town, for example). And employer may see this type of post as unprofessional and since most places function under at will employment” the employer is within their rights to take action against the poster if they feel it reflects badly on their workplace.

HIPAA violations aren't the only types of comments that can get you disciplined or fired. It best just to avoid work-related posting all together. Keep work life and personal life separate.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

A social media post just says "nursing is all fun and games until you see a lice infestation!"

No mention of work place, patient, etc. Not listed under persons profile where they work.

Violation?

No this would not be a HIPAA violation. Anyone can go and write that on their FB. Nurse or not. Could be a nursing student, family of a nurse repeating something their family member said. It gives no identifying information. No specifics, no mention if it really happened or is pertaining to a job. No mention of where the person works.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Not a HIPAA violation. Poor choice possibly violating school or facility social media policy? Yes.

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Did they mention the lice by name?

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Did they mention the lice by name?

I don't think so but they did give the age and gender and diagnoses. So might be enough identifying factors.