Social Media and the Nurse Leader: What One Should Know

Laurie Crider

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

 

 

 

April 21, 2015

Abstract

• Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, have become a platform for individuals to express ideas and views about numerous topics, in both their personal and professional lives (Antheunis, Tates, & Nieboer, 2013). While social media has its advantages, ethical and legal implications exist, which should be considered prior to expressing one’s thoughts, or posting that picture. Unfortunately for the nurse professional, boundaries can be crossed, even when unintentional (Westrick, 2013). Subsequently, crossing those boundaries carry the potential for legal implications, which can be civil, criminal, or both (Westrick, 2013). Therefore, this PowerPoint presentation has been created as a reference for the nurse leader.

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The following power point presentation's aim is to educate the nurse leader and nurses in those implications, and how social media can also be an advantage. The power point presentation will be informative, and include the advantages, disadvantages, implications, possible consequences, and how to avoid the pitfalls of social media. The presentation will also express the views and positions, in regards to social media, by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and The Texas Board of Nursing (BON). Lastly, the presentation will exhibit, that with proper management, education and support, professionals and patients will be ensured social media “is a cure and not a curse” (Pillai, 2012, p. 55).

Keywords: implications, healthcare, position statements, social media, social networks

INTRODUCTION

With the popularity of social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, an increasing need for education of protecting patient healthcare information should be a priorityFor nurse leaders.

While many pitfalls and disadvantages exist utilizing the world wide web, many advantages also exist. Therefore, with proper education on how to avoid the pitfalls, the consequences and implications on breaching patient privacy, the common misconceptions, these social networking platforms can actually be “a cure and not a curse” (Pillai, 2011, p. 55).

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Common Misconceptions

Nurses believe only a name mentioned or a photo posted, is a breach of patient privacy, however, all information used to identify a patient is a breach of privacy.

Nurses believe their postings are private and can only be viewed by their intended recipient, however, “often sites have a broad waiver of rights to limit use of content.

Nurses often believe the deleted statements or photos are gone forever and no longer accessible.

First, we will look at common misconceptions of social networking among nurses and healthcare workers, while surfing platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

(National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2011)

Second, we will look at common disadvantages with social networking within the healthcare industry.

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Lateral violence may occur when a patient’s confidentiality and privacy have been disrespected by communicating on social media during nonworking hours, which “affects bonding among teammates” (NCSBN, 2011).

The inability to visualize the “whole patient’s condition online, thus the reason for the monitoring of only minor cases online (NCSBN, 2011).

A destruction in the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship occurs, as nurses forget professionalism and become social, discussing their personal lives (NCSBN, 2011).

Nurses may destroy the professional image of the employer when online, forgetting their professionalism (Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, 2013).

Nurse recruiters often frequent a prospective employee’s profile and negative comments on a site may result in a loss of employability (Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, 2013).

Next, the healthcare industry can utilize the many advantages of social networking platforms transforming what may be called a “curse” by some, into a “cure”, which can be reached by many in a brief period of time.

Recruiters often view profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn, which may be a valuable tool for promoting one’s self for an offer of employment.

Social media is an excellent means of exchanging ideas and providing education among professional workers.

Social media is advantageous for increasing the awareness about diseases, precautions, or even preemptive measures against diseases, which may quickly turn pandemic to a wide audience.

Social media is a way to learn about the most current treatment options available for various diseases , medications, and procedures.

Social media is a means for, which healthcare professionals can communicate with other healthcare professionals, families, and friends of the patient, in providing education or teaching.

One of the most advantageous uses of social media is the ability to reach a massive audience quickly (Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences, 2013).

Advantages of Social Media in the Healthcare Industry

The importance of familiarizing and educating one’s self on the misuse of social media cannot be stressed enough, as the implications and consequences are serious and not taken lightly by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON).

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❖ Unprofessional conduct may be an implication investigated by the Texas BON for the misuse of social media.

❖ Another implication is unethical conduct, which may lead the Texas BON to investigate a nurse for misuse while on social media.

❖ Mismanagement of patient records, revealing privileged patient communication, and a breach of confidentiality are all implications for nurse misuse of social media, which the Texas BON may investigate (Texas BON, 2014, p. 85).

❖ Consequences, if determined misuse, may result in reprimand or sanctions by the Texas BON.

❖ An assessment of a monetary fine may also be a consequence for the misuse of social media.

❖ Another consequence of social media misuse may be temporary, or permanent loss of licensure.

❖ If found to have violated federal or state laws, such as the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), fines, civil or criminal liabilities, and even jail time might be the end result (NCSBN, 2011).

Implications and Consequences of Social Media

In order to accomplish the feat of advantages, the nurse leader should be prepared to educate nurses and other members of the healthcare team on how to avoid the pitfalls of social media.

How To Avoid the Pitfallsof

Social Media

Never assume all of your postings are private and won’t be seen by other professionals or nonprofessionals

Don’t make negative comments about people or organizations.

Most importantly, never discuss patients or give out any information, which would allow one to identify them.

Know and understand your HIPAA laws (Brous, 2013).

Know and adhere to your facility’s privacy policies and social media procedures.

Familiarize yourself with your state’s nurse practice acts and rules and regulations.

Read and follow the guidelines provided by the ANA and NCSBN regarding social media.

Read closely all of the terms of any social networking website and be sure you understand the terms.

[ Untitled illustration of a pitfall ]. Retrieved April 21, 2015 from http://www.simplyzesty.com/Blog/Article/March-2013/The-Pitfalls-Businesses-Need-To-Avoid-On-Social-Media

CONCLUSIONIn summary, we as nurse leaders have a magnificent opportunity in which to take a social

networking platform such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and transcend nursing into a successful realm.

A realm where healthcare professionals are able to communicate with one another, and the public in the most unique ways. Providing bulletins, educational materials on diseases, disease control, disasters and how to prepare for them, are only a few ways of such unique communication.

Therefore, nurse leaders have an innate opportunity to transform today’s new technology into an everlasting friendship versus the dreaded foe lurking in anonymity, in anticipation of “that one moment,” which could cost nurses their essence; their licensure.

So please, educate yourself and know the rules. Remember “ignorance is no excuse,” and remember this mnemonic, SNAP, before taking “that photo” or “posting that comment” on the internet.

REMEMBER BEFORE YOU SNAP!!!

SmartNursesAlwaysProtect Healthcare Information!

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References

  American Nurses Association (ANA). (2012) Social networking principles toolkit.

Retrieved on 4/17/15 from http://www.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/Social-Media/Social-Networking-

Principles-Toolkit.aspx

Antheunis, M. L., Tates, K., & Nieboer, T. E. (2013, September). Patients’ and health professionals’ use of social media in health care:

Motives, barriers and expectations. Patient Education and Counseling, 92(3), 426-431.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2013.06.020

Brous, E. (2013, May). How to avoid the pitfalls of social media. American Nurse Today, 8(5). Retrieved from

http://www.americannursetoday.com/how-to-avoid-the-pitfalls-of-social-media

Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. (2015). Retrieved , from

http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/CodeofEthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics-For-Nurses.html

Journal of Pioneering Medical Sciences. (2013, July 30). Effects of social media on nursing [Blog post]. Retrieved from

http://www.blogs.jpmsonline.com/2013/07/30/effects-of-social-media-on-nursing

 

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2012). Social media guidelines.

Retrieved on 4/17/15 from

https://www.ncsbn.org/Social_Media.pdf

Pillai, P. (2012, June). Social media in healthcare: Making the case. Modern Medicare, 49-55. Retrieved from

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/235997869_Social_Media_in_HealthcareMaking_the_Case

Pozgar, G. D. (2014). Legal and ethical essentials of healthcare administration (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Texas Board of Nursing. (2014). Texas board of nursing: Board position statements.

Retrieved from http://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/practice_dept_pdfs/position_statements_pdfs/BON%20Position%20Statements

%202014.pdf

Westrick, S. J. (2013). Legal and ethical issues in healthcare. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.