A Look into the Use of Social Media in Healthcare Essay

In the world today, smartph unrivaleds argon becoming the norm, with basal phones becoming nearly obsolete in recent years. Pairing the aro enforce presence of accessible media with the rise in practice session of smartphones brings to light an entirely new clothe of problems and challenges regarding longanimous screen. According to a 2010 pass waterplace conducted regarding non-homogeneous boards of nursing, 67% of executive officers surveyed reported receiving complaints ab out(a) sucks mis development protagonistly media (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Incidentally, social media use in health care has garnered m any(prenominal) positive results as well. ace study found that 67% of remediates use social media for professional use, and of their followers, 60% of social media users trust posts by their doctors and 55% of users trust posts by hospitals (Skram, n.d.). However, the question remains, with social media does the good outweigh the bad, and how do hospitals foste r the good while keep the bad?HIPAA RegulationsDue to the sensitive nature of the schooling kept by healthcare providers about their patients, principles were put in place to reduce the endangerment of breeching patient privacy. The health Insurance Port business leader and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) sterilize study standards and regulations regarding the breastplate of patients privacy and individualized health study (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS, n.d.). Under The solitude Rule enacted by HIPAA, protection is governed over all,Individually diagnosable health study which is information, including demographic data, that relates to the psyches past, pre displace or future physical or psychical health or condition, the provision of health care to the individual, or the past, present, or future payment for theprovision of health care to the individual, and that identifies the individual or for which thither is a primingable basis to believe it derriere be used to identify the individual. (HHS, n.d., p. 2).There are instances outlined in HIPAA that put up a healthcare provider to disclose a patients personal health information which include disclosing information to the individual receiving treatment, information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, and information for uses and disclosures with opportunity to agree or object, such(prenominal)(prenominal) as in cases in which a patient is incapacitated in the emergency department (HHS, n.d.). Also, disclosure is permitted for incidental use and disclosure and in a limited data set in which all personal identifiers have been removed (HHS, n.d.).Further much, personal health information may be disclosed for public interest and benefit activities such as those needful by law, those to ensure safety of victims of abuse, information for decedents, information for tissue donation, information for research studies, if there is a serious threat to health or society , and in cases of workers compensation (HHS, n.d.). If health information is released in discordance with the rules and regulations set forth by HIPAA, healthy perform, both civilly and criminally, move be taken against the individual responsible as well as the healthcare organization with which the individual is involved.Advantages of Smartphones and societal Media in healthcareSmartphones in the healthcare setting weed be very useful both for patients and providers. One advantage of smartphones in the healthcare setting is the overwhelming presence of medical exam applications that nates be accessed and downloaded on smartphones (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). Nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals can cursorily access a host of medical reference material honest from their smartphones. Several applications are too available that are useful for patients, great(p) information about chronic conditions, health and wellness, and fitness (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). Ma ny applications such as MyFitnessPal and iFitness are tailored to help individuals keep track of nutritionary intake and exercise habits (Wyatt & Krauskopf, 2012). This can be extremely useful for wad wanting to make lifestyle changes regarding nutrition and fitness, especially those aiming to lose tip and turn over healthier overall.Moreover, social media can be very right to patients suffering from chronic conditions as well as their family and friends (Norton & Strauss, 2013). For rare diseases topical anesthetic community support groups may non be available. Social media step in to fill this void by offering users a innovation of different online support groups, blogs, newsletters, and networks. Individuals can use such resources to r from each one out to others with similar issues, find much needed support during difficult times, and become alert of treatments and medications that worked for others with their same illness that may prompt them to contact their doctor a bout other possibilities in treatment options. When used properly, smartphones and social media can be very beneficial to healthcare providers and patients.Disadvantages of Smartphones and Social Media in HealthcareUnfortunately, along with the good must come the bad. For every positive prognosis of smartphones and social media in healthcare related settings, there is an equally controvert aspect. One pitfall of smartphones in healthcare is directly related to one of the positive aspects of smartphones the availability of medical applications. While the majority of medical applications are produced by reliable sources with accurate, researched information, there are still medical applications in existence that supply untrustworthy and erroneous information. Gagglioi (2012) observes that, medical apps have not been survey to rigorous testing (p. 512) the reason for which being, that most of these apps reach consumers/patients directly, without passing by the traditional medical g atekeepers (p. 512). When patients base future interventions on these erroneous applications, such as seeking treatment or using home remedies, there can result harmful and even terminal consequences.Another unsuitable characteristic of smartphone drill in healthcare settings is the tendency of smartphones to be distracting ( branchia, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). Smartphone usage can cause a disruption in workflow which can lead to medical errors and negligence. A study in Australia found that of 439 perfusionists surveyed, 49.2% admitted that they had sent text messages while performing a cardiopulmonary bypass (Gill, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). The hoo-ha in diligent attention to patient care caused by smartphones can present contamination, infection, and hygiene risks as well as impeding the ability of the healthcare provider to recognize potential complications or downward trends in their patients (Gill, Kamath, & Gill, 2012). In healthcare, even momentary distraction can lead to fatal consequences.Lastly, a huge problem concerning smartphones in healthcare related settings involves the usage of cameras and social media. As seen in the scenario presented, the breastfeed on duty abused her smartphone and profaned HIPAA by sending pictures of her patient to her friend via text message. concealing is extremely important in healthcare because patients are less cagey to share important information with the provider if they fear that the information could be disclosed or disseminated without consent (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Sharing pictures of a patient or any information regarding a patient without express written permission is a direct violation of HIPAA regulations and is therefore subject to the consequences set forth.Since the nurse on duty knowingly violated HIPAA by sending photos to her friend via text message, she should be investigated and penalized. As mentioned above, in a study conducted of boards of nursing, 67% of executives have encountered compla ints about nurses regarding social media (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Of those surveyed, all 67% who had complaints took disciplinary action against the responsible party (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Based on the precedent set in the previous study, the hospital should discipline the nurse in the scenario for her inappropriate behavior. Furthermore, the hospital has a legal obligation set forth by field law demanding that disciplinary action be taken when the administration becomes aware of a staff member violating HIPAA policy.Conclusion and RecommendationsBased on the information presented about HIPAA rules and regulations, the fourth conclusion is the only choice able to be deemed as ethically and legally appropriate. The fourth conclusion involves an extensive probe into the HIPAA violation by the hospital, and the implication of legal action being engage against the responsible party and the hospital. For her unsuitable behavior, the nurse at the very to the lowest degree shouldi ncur a formal investigation and write-up as well as suspension from her duties.The nurse violated HIPAA by sharing individually identifiable health information (HHS, n.d.). Legally, in the case of a violation in which the perpetrator was unknowing and would not have known even by exercising reasonable diligence, the consequence ranges from a $100 to $50,000 fine for each violation, with a maximum fine of $1.5 million for identical provisions within a calendar year (Penalties for violating HIPAA, 2014). However, in the case of the nurse in the scenario, supposed to have extensively learned the encompassment of HIPAA violations previously, the nurse likely would not be considered to be unknowing which would therefore result in more severe consequences.Furthermore, the nurse violated the Code of ethical motive for Nurses by violating her patients right to privacy. The nurse violated Provision 1 set forth by the Code stating, The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and the respect for the inherent self-worth, worth, and uniqueness of every individual (Fowler, 2010). More specifically, she violated Section 1 of Provision 1 regarding respect for human dignity (Fowler, 2010). The nurse also violated Provision 3 of the Code of Ethics which states, The nurse promotes, advocates for, and strives to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient (Fowler, 2010).Section 1 of Provision 3 regards privacy and Section 2 of Provision 3 regards confidentiality, both of which the nurse dishonored by sending a picture of her patient without his cognition (Fowler, 2010). The nurse in the scenario not on violated the law regarding HIPAA, she also violated the Code of Ethics for Nurses set forth by the American Nurses Association. In all respects, what the nurse did was ethically, morally, and legally wrong.A lot can be learned from this assignment. It is clear that the use of smartphones and social media needs to be monitored carefully by nur ses and other healthcare professionals. Any impropriety in patient privacy with smartphones or social media can become general and far-reaching in a matter of minutes. What seems small at the moment can turn into a huge ordeal involving investigations, legal implications, fines, and civil lawsuits. For that reason it is of the utmost importance to be diligent inconsidering patient privacy and HIPAA before any post made to social media or any text message sent.ReferencesFowler, M. D. (2010). Guide to the code of ethics for nurses interpretation and application. specie Spring, MD American Nurses Association. Gaggioli, A. (2012). CyberSightings. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 15(9), 512-513. doi10.1089/cyber.2012.1555 Gill P.S., Kamath A., & Gill T.S. (2012). Distraction an assessment of smartphone usage in health care work settings. Risk Manage Healthcare Policy 5(9), 105114. doi 10.2147/RMHP.S34813 Norton, A., & Strauss, L. J. (2013). Social media and health care T he pros and the cons. Journal Of Health Care Compliance, 15(1), 49-51. Retrieved from http//web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.devry.edu/ehost/ position/detail?sid=b614377483634d2d-b65e946988e5d7ea%40sessionmgr114&vid=36&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QbGl2ZQ%3d%3ddb=heh&AN=85287334 Perkins, N.L., & Theis, A.R. (2011). HIPAA and social networking sites A legal minefield for employers. Retrieved from http//www.aao.org/yo/newsletter/201201/article02.cfm Skram, T. (n.d.) 11 health care social media stats to turn heads. Retrieved from http//whprms.org/11-health-care-social-media-stats-to-turn-heads/ Spector, N., & Kappel D. M. (2012). Guidelines for using electronic and social media The regulatory perspective. Retrieved from http//www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-17-2012/No3-Sept-2012/Guidelines-for-Electronic-and-Social-Media.html U.S Departments of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Retrieved from http //www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/index.html What are the penalties for violating HIPAA? (2014). Retrieved from https//kb.iu.edu/d/ayzf Wyatt, T. & Krauskopf, P. (2012). E-health and nursing victimization smartphones to enhance nursing practice. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 16(2), 10-14. Retrieved from http//web.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.devry.edu/ehost/detail/detail?sid=b6143774-8363-4d2db65e946988e5d7ea%40sessionmgr114&vid=23&hid=126&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3ddb=rzh&AN=2011651618