NBR: What would NBC do?

ThisModernLove · October 2013

I'm having a bit of a dilemma. One of the people I follow on a twitter is a friend's SO who works at a medical facility. Quite a few times this person has tweeted things that I think are extremely inappropriate such as very negative things about coworkers but the worse thing is that I've read about 10 or more tweets about different patients. It's not releasing medical information or names but it'll say things like "What this patient listed as reasons he can't sleep: depression, wife, kids, impending sense of apocalypse" or something of that nature or "I have a well known ophthalmologist here tonight and if you saw how weird he is in his sleep, you'd never go there." It makes me extremely uncomfortable but especially because it's a sleep clinic so these people are at their most vulnerable. The twitter is protected so not everyone can see this but I can't decide if I should unfollow, ignore, or say something to my friend about it. I don't want anyone to get in trouble but I also don't think it's right to release what people put on their medical records or make fun of those seeking assistance with their issues.

What would NBC do?

SusieBW · October 2013

I think I would probably just unfollow that person. If they noticed and asked about it, I would tell them why, but I doubt that I would bring it up to them otherwise. I agree that the posts are completely inappropriate, and I wouldn't want to be a part of that, either. My personality is such that I don't think I'd raise the issue though, I'd just disassociate myself from it.

SnShne322 · October 2013

I agree with @SusieBW, unfollow. I wouldn't want to witness something like that. If you feel comfortable enough with your friend, I would bring it up lightly, but I don't know that I'd have a serious talk about it.

Savanna111911 · October 2013

Same as PP. If it bothers you I would just unfollow. While what they are doing is inappropriate, it is really not illegal if they aren't naming names. It's really just childish and immature. I'm just not sure that it is your place to get involved.

julie37619 · October 2013

I'd unfollow but keep my mouth shut. It's wrong that he or she is tweeting it, but not your place to get involved.

ThisModernLove · October 2013

You ladies are right. I was only thinking of mentioning something because I wouldn't want to see job loss if it did happen like if someone reported it (not me) but that isn't my place or my responsibility.

MrsC7 · October 2013

Unfollow (and totally side-eye the SO the next time I see him/her)

CeeCeeSugaPie · October 2013

I'm an RN, so I hear about patient confidentiality ad nauseum. I understand that she isn't giving out names, but it is still highly inappropriate in my opinion. I don't know if it would be considered a HIPAA violation since the no names thing, but I would assume that her employer would not appreciate it. If her tweets could in any way be associated back with a particular patient, she would be in huge trouble. I would definitely unfollow her and I would probably try to bring it up privately with her in a tactful way. She needs to have some empathy and respect for her patients. Maybe try to bring it up like you are just trying to look out for her and mention that she might want to be very careful about what she writes? Maybe that will be enough to make her think twice about it next time.

lab7979 · October 2013

I'd just unfollow if it makes you uncomfortable. He knows better. Anyone who works in healthcare has it beaten in to them not to talk about patients. We're told not to use names (obviously). Where I work we're told not to discuss patient at all (even omitting names.) Sometimes especially in small towns its easy to figure out who a patient is by just describing the circumstance. I'd never be stupid enough to tweet about patients or post it on facebook. Even if it's not a HIPAA violation (which I'm not so sure about) I'm sure his employer would not be happy to know he is bad mouthing their patients in a public forum. I'd probalby be fired if I did that. They could lose business if people found out about it. Maybe even be sued.

fabk · October 2013

I agree with @CeeCeeSugaPie unfollow and talk to them about it privately. It nay or may not violate HIPPA but it is completely inappropriate. We weren't allowed to talk about patients outside of the hospital period. Unless your discussing it with someone within the circle of care it shouldn't be talked about. I am sure he wouldn't appreciate it if he was the patient.

jkfranklin · October 2013

I'm not sure how the Twitter works exactly but I would maybe comment something passive aggressive like, "wow, I thought patients had more privacy". Or maybe "Down with HIPPA!"

brie&drew · October 2013

I agree with @CeeCeeSugaPie and @fabk- it may not be a strict HIPAA violation, but if there's anything that could lead to the patient being identified it's a risk and one that could result in termination. (at least that's what would happen at my company) I'd definitely unfollow and make sure my friend knew why.

booknerd226 · October 2013

I would unfollow but if it is a friend's SO then they likely know about it, so I don't think saying anything would really make a difference. If they ask why you unfollowed them then you could mention it then. I would be uncomfortable with that too.

PhoenixRising11 · October 2013

I know of people who have been fired from jobs at local health networks for talking about work in an unflattering way on social media. Even if she is not breaking HIPAA, she is not doing a good job of representing the organization for which she works, and this is not only unprofessional but perhaps even a reason for termination. I would definitely unfollow.

NBR: What would NBC do?

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