Social networks have been found to help motivate and support health behavior change in multiple areasincluding weight loss, alcohol use, and smoking cessation. Through the Internet, individuals can share and receive health information via open forums, such as those provided through Facebook or Twitter. However, sharing too much information on social media platforms can have devastating effects on healthcare organizations, customers, and employees if patient-specific information is shared. There are no specific HIPAA social media rules but there are HIPAA laws and standards that apply to social media use by healthcare organizations and their employees. As a HIM professional you may very well be tasked with educating others about privacy, making policy, or creating informational packets.

1. Create your policy (on privacy and social media)

2. Include your plan on how you will implement this policy to staff

3. Discuss if you will follow your own policy