Ethical Analysis of Social Media Use in Nursing: Cases & HIPAA Rules

This essay explores the ethical considerations surrounding the use of social media by nurses and nursing students, particularly in relation to patient confidentiality and HIPAA privacy laws. It analyzes five different scenarios, each presenting a unique situation where a nurse or student interacts with social media. The analysis determines whether each situation represents an appropriate use of social media within the nursing profession, providing a rationale for each decision based on ethical principles and legal requirements. The essay references relevant literature to support its arguments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professionalism and protecting patient information in the digital age. The scenarios cover topics such as sharing experiences, discussing best practices, expressing opinions about faculty, disclosing patient information, and posting photos on social media, highlighting the complexities and potential pitfalls of social media use in nursing. Desklib provides a platform to access similar solved assignments and study resources.

Running Head: SOCIAL MEDIA AND NURSING 1
SOCIAL MEDIA AND NURSING
Name
Institutional Affiliation

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NURSING 2
Social Media and Nursing
Introduction
The purpose of social media is to induce computer-mediated communication (CMC)
enabling the creation and distribution of ideas, interests and other kinds of information that not
only provide answers to questions but also resolves uncertain issues (Lahti et al, 2017). Social
media is a widespread technology in today’s world and therefore nurses are welcome to use it in
their personal lives as well as share their work experiences.
First Situation
In this first case, Janet makes appropriate use of the social media as a nurse. She only
intends to tell her mother about what she learns in the medical-surgical unit. This would include
newly acquired skills and information which does not necessarily entail private details of the
patients such as their names (Lahti et al, 2017). There is, however, a contradictory note in this
situation whereby due to the obviously close relationship between Janet and her mother, she may
end up disclosing too much information and therefore violating the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
Second Case
Linda is said to only share the best practices in her hospital with other nurses. This is a
proper use of social media as a nurse as she is trying to share the knowledge she has acquired in
her career with people in the same field (Koivunen et al, 2015). She should, however, be very
careful not to complain or make inapt comments about patients in her hospital as these could lead
to the other nurses viewing her as unprofessional.
Situation Three

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NURSING 3
It is not appropriate to reveal institutional information or that of its members to other
people. Disciplinary actions such as expulsion from school could be taken against Danny for his
comments about faculty members (Lahti et al, 2017). Nurses should not voice their personal
opinions or views about the institution, administrators or other employees even in stringent
privacy. Nurses should maintain professionalism and composure at all times and avoid at all
costs blowing off the work-related hassle.
Fourth Situation
The info unveiled throughout the course of doctor-patient association is confidential to
the highest degree in life, and after death. This is however subjective to both the physician’s and
the patient’s beliefs as well as to the patient’s wishes, that is, any specified directives made by
the patient before death. In certain cases such as when there is an imminent risk or danger to the
living or public health, it is important to divulge a patient’s information after death so as to
protect others (Mitchell& Williams, 2017). Conversely, in Johnny’s case, she disclosed a
patient’s info for her own selfish gain which is not proper.
The Fifth Case
In this case, there seems to be a consent from the clients to take their photos during the
party. Nevertheless, Lois did not seek any patient’s assent before sharing their photos on
Facebook. A simple photo can reveal too much data about a patient to the public that they would
rather keep personal. This was an inappropriate use of the social media in the nursing industry as
it infringes patient confidentiality (Ward, 2017).

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NURSING 4
References
Koivunen, M., Niemi, A., & Hupli, M. (2015). The use of electronic devices for communication
with colleagues and other healthcare professionals–nursing professionals’
perspectives. Journal of advanced nursing, 71(3), 620-631.
Lahti, M., Haapaniemi-Kahala, H., & Salminen, L. (2017). Use of Social Media By Nurse
Educator Students: An Exploratory Survey. The open nursing journal, 11, 26.
Mitchell, A., & Williams, B. (2017). Compassionate Release Policy Reform: Physicians as
Advocates for Human Dignity. AMA journal of ethics, 19(9), 854.
Ward, J. M. (2017). Patient confidential: nurses’ social media use in the 21st Century.