Today, social media serves as the primary forum for public conversations.
Whether it’s a personal or professional account, it’s important for health care workers, students and med center employees to follow the med center’s social media guidelines to avoid HIPAA violations and possible misuse of digital platforms.
UNMC’s policy on social media outlines many of the expectations for employees, in regards to social media use. In addition, employees should remember that HIPAA extends beyond social media. No one should take pictures, record video or video chat on personal devices in any area where a patient (or any patient information) can be seen. Sharing or posting photos or videos related to patient care – even without names – is strictly prohibited. Similar protections are extended to students, through FERPA.
One component of the UNMC policy requires faculty, staff and students to take reasonable precautions to indicate that they are engaging in social media activity as a private person and not as an employee, agent or spokesperson of UNMC. Employees and students should consider adding a disclaimer akin to: “The views expressed in this [blog, website, group, tweet, post] are my own and do not reflect the views of UNMC.”
Below are additional tips to consider before posting online:
- Nothing is private: Remember that what you post will remain discoverable. Private comments can be screenshot and shared. The internet never forgets. This also is a good reason to think twice before engaging in heated conversations or venting online.
- Avoid defamatory, offensive or derogatory content: Such content could be considered a violation of UNMC’s anti-harassment policy if it is directed toward colleagues, students, partners or those we serve.
- Political opinions or engaging in political activities must be done in your personal time and must not imply an endorsement by UNMC: Your political opinions can only be expressed in your individual capacity on your own social media accounts in your personal time and, even then, avoid the appearance that you are speaking or acting for the university in political matters. See Regents Policy 4.1.
- Be mindful of context: Evaluate your intentions. Before posting anything on social media, ask yourself three questions: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
- Use disclaimers: Ensure others know that your personal account and statements do not represent UNMC. What you write is your responsibility. We advise using a disclaimer such as “opinions are my own” to avoid misunderstandings.
- Let the experts respond: If you come across complaints about UNMC or our primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, or notice instances that might be considered a crisis through social media, please bring it to the attention of UNMC Strategic Communications. Do not respond on UNMC’s behalf.
- Ask for advice: Unsure if a post is appropriate? Reach out to the UNMC Strategic Communications Department.
Other platforms to consider:
Take time to think about conversations with your colleagues in Microsoft Teams. Teams chat may feel like social media, but as with all work-related communication, professionalism is expected. It is permissible to include PHI (protected health information) in appropriate Teams communication, but remember, Teams communications can be audited to ensure compliance and may be considered a public record. So, before you hit send, ask yourself what the Privacy Office would think of your comment.