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Managing Social Media without violating HIPAA

  • Social Cascade
  • Apr 17, 2023
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jun 9, 2023


With an estimated 300 million Americans using the Internet daily, 90% of them use social media (cite.) Understandably, there is interest among medical professionals to tap into this market and ethical concerns about how patient communication can work on these platforms. At Social Cascade, we specialize in helping you strike the right balance.

Why bother with social media, anyway?

When you post using social media, you meet your patients and families where they already are. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow pediatric clinics to share information about their services, new research, and health tips effectively. Using existing social media platforms has proven more effective than emails and patient portals, offering convenience and ease of use for families.

Additionally, social media can provide a way for pediatric clinics to engage with their patients and respond to their questions and concerns. By creating an online community, clinics can build trust with their patients and help foster a sense of belonging and support. It is, indeed, Social Cascade’s mission to harness the ubiquity and power of social media to enable a greater connection between pediatricians and the families they serve.

But, what about HIPAA?

A major concern of many medical care providers is staying within HIPAA guidelines, since it does apply to social media messages. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is a federal law that regulates how healthcare providers can use and disclose patients' protected health information. This can include personal details, diagnoses, and even the fact that the person is a patient.

How to stay legal and use social media

Clinics must be careful to stay in compliance with HIPAA. But the great news is: it can be done. Use these tips to stay compliant while engaging with patient families on social media:

  1. Focus on broadly-messaged content. If you’re posting a picture or video of a patient, you must obtain written consent from the patient or legal guardian. By curating content from existing streams, you’ll avoid this pitfall.

  2. Keep Protected Health Information secure. Be sure that in all posts, you aren’t sharing any protected health information about patients, which includes names, addresses, diagnoses, and other personal details.

  3. Monitor the comments. One of the mixed blessings of social media is the ability for users to post comments. Monitor the comments on your posts frequently to ensure no protected health information is posted in the comments.

  4. Communicate protected health information using secure channels only. Do not use social media to communicate specific advice or diagnosis information to families. If a patient or family contacts you using the private messaging of social media platforms, refer them to your practice’s secure channels.

Use Social Cascade to post compliant content

Social Cascade’s unique technology helps pediatricians navigate this challenging terrain so they can successfully engage with their patients using social media. With the click of a button, we enable you to share information from approved sources, like AAP and xxx, all guaranteed HIPAA compliant. When your patients and families see your posts on social media, they’ll feel more connected to your practice and more educated. To learn more about your options, visit our website.

6 Comments


Veronica Dantas
Veronica Dantas
Mar 20

This was such an insightful and well-explained guide on managing social media while staying HIPAA-compliant! You did a great job breaking down the risks and providing practical solutions for healthcare professionals. It’s a crucial topic, and your advice makes it much easier to navigate. Thanks for sharing such valuable information! Veronica Dantas

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Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa
Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa
Mar 19

This was such an informative and well-written article! Managing social media while staying HIPAA-compliant is a crucial challenge for healthcare professionals, and you’ve done a great job breaking down the key considerations. I especially appreciate the practical tips on safeguarding patient privacy while maintaining an engaging online presence. Thanks for sharing this valuable insight—I’ll definitely be keeping these guidelines in mind! Sidney De Queiroz Pedrosa

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Beatriz Barata
Beatriz Barata
Mar 18

This is such an insightful and important read! Managing social media while staying HIPAA-compliant can be challenging, and your breakdown of best practices is incredibly helpful. I appreciate the clear guidance and practical tips—this will be a great resource for healthcare professionals navigating the digital space. Thanks for sharing! Beatriz Barata

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LuizAntonio DuarteFerreira
LuizAntonio DuarteFerreira
Mar 18

This was an incredibly insightful and well-explained article! Managing social media while staying HIPAA-compliant is a challenge, and your breakdown of best practices makes it much clearer. I appreciate the practical tips and emphasis on protecting patient privacy. Thanks for sharing such valuable guidance! Luiz Antonio Duarte Ferreira

Like

Daniel Dantas
Daniel Dantas
Mar 18

Your article adeptly addresses the critical balance between leveraging social media's vast reach and maintaining strict HIPAA compliance. Emphasizing the importance of patient privacy while engaging online is both timely and essential. Your practical insights serve as a valuable guide for healthcare professionals navigating the digital landscape responsibly. Thank you for shedding light on this crucial topic. Daniel Dantas

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