Mobile and Online Considerations
Properly managing your electronic passwords, preventing the spread of viruses, logging off your computer, protecting your tablet and smartphone (if used for care), and being aware of and responsible for any patient information taken or accessed off-site are important ways you can contribute to information security. Know and understand your agency’s policy about which devices can be used for work and in what manner.
Remember that HIPAA applies to all communication. This includes any and all types of social media: Facebook (Meta), Twitter, Linkedln, Instagram, etc., are no places to share any kind of patient information. This includes text and pictures.
Before quickly sharing information that you might think is innocent on your smartphone at lunch, realize that if you are in any way identifying a patient’s health information, you could find yourself in serious trouble.