Introduction
Social media refers to internet-based platforms that allow individual communication for information sharing, education, and advertisements. Healthcare providers must be sensitive to the patient’s information and keep it confidential. The enforcement of health insurance portability and accountability act rules is one of the activities of the regulatory bodies. This assessment aims to develop a staff update for the interprofessional team to encourage team members to safeguard the confidentiality, privacy, and security of patient information focusing on social media best practices.
Discussion
There are a variety of positive social media uses in healthcare that aim to ensure patient safety and confidentiality. The platforms can be used to spread critical information during healthcare emergencies. Patients learn critical healthcare methodologies through the platforms and apply the information in preventive care (Tsigas, 2022). Focus on healthy lifestyles and practicing preventive measures are critical elements in reducing the number of patients admitted to the hospital.
Health campaigns have increased awareness of existing diseases such as AIDS and cancer. Most importantly, patients have created an online platform where they can interact with doctors, helping them overcome anxieties (Lal et al., 2020). Many sick individuals fear physical diagnosis as it lowers their self-esteem. Protected health information refers to the individual health data maintained and transmitted in any media, whether oral, electronic, or handwritten. An example of such information may include the patient’s name, address, age, status, and blood test results (Shroff et al., 2022). Essential HIPAA information comprises the four key aspects making it critical to patients. Security of data on health matters, a notification of medical record breaches, privacy, and the right to access and get copies of healthcare data.
Privacy in healthcare refers to keeping information given to healthcare providers private. Examples of privacy related to the use of technology involve information on the type of diseases patients suffer, the medication they take, and their status (Qahtan et al., 2022). Confidentiality is a rule prohibiting access to information shared between the patient and the doctor. Confidentiality concerns associated with technology include patient check-in records when seeing psychologists. Electric devices used for such activities should be protected with solid passwords from unauthorized users (Kronk et al., 2021). Voicemail messages on hospital phones indicating appointment dates must be kept vague. Security refers to the integrity of electronically stored data for patients’ dignity.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital in safeguarding sensitive electronic health information by ensuring that only the patient’s family and caregivers can access their data online. Inappropriate social media usage has led to the termination of many nurses yearly in the USA. For instance, in 2019, 50 employees, including nurses, were fired at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago (Cross & Fine, 2021). Healthcare organizations have imposed sanctions like firing and imprisoning individuals who break policies. HIPAA violations can lead to a fine of 50,000 dollars per year (Elliott et al., 2022). Healthcare organizations have employed various evidence-based strategies to reduce confidentiality, privacy
Evidence-based approaches have been implemented to mitigate risks to patients and healthcare staff in regard to sensitive electronic health information. They include: training healthcare workers and patients on the need to follow policies set to protect data from unauthorized access. Update on new technological advances on a regular basis ensures the system is updated to the current technology. Strong passwords comprising numbers, letters, and special characters should be set to protect patient information stored online. Two-factor authentication and multifactor approaches should be adopted where security questions are set in case of password changes. Physical security practices include locking electronic devices when not in use and closing sensitive documents when open.
User activities must be monitored by observing cases of multiple login attempts, and unusual hour access.
Conclusion
In summary, patient privacy and data confidentiality are essential aspects of the healthcare profession. The caregivers should therefore keep data concerning patients from unauthorized individuals. This is done by setting solid passwords to the portals and updating the systems frequently from viruses that may invade and damage the devices. Assuring the sick about the safety of their private information creates a conducive environment for the healing process.
References
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