Social Media Guidelines

These guidelines are applicable to all faculty, staff, and students at WVU Health Sciences. The use of the internet or intranet includes, but may not be limited to, postings on blogs, instant messaging (IM), using social networking sites, sending or receiving email or postings to public media sites, mailing lists and/or video sites. These guidelines apply whether an individual uses public or private computers or devices. Nothing contained in these guidelines shall supersede other University adopted policies, guidelines or training relating to Information Technology Resources.

Background

Faculty, staff and students at WVU Health Sciences regularly use social and business networking websites and online communities to communicate with each other and with others external to the institution. It is expected that members of the WVU Health Sciences community will act with honesty and integrity and will respect the rights, privileges, privacy, sensibilities and property of others.

The ability to record, store and transmit information in electronic formats brings specific responsibilities to the members of the WVU Health Sciences community with respect to the privacy of patient information.

Information that identifies patients that is intentionally or unintentionally placed in the public domain will constitute a breach of the standards of professionalism and confidentiality that apply to our faculty, staff or students in the WVU Health Sciences schools. All members of the WVU Health Sciences community who are involved in the delivery of health care have an obligation to maintain the privacy and security of patient records under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

Each member of the WVU Health Sciences community is required to satisfactorily complete the annual Information Technology Security Awareness Training, which includes, but is not limited to, the appropriate usage of information technology resources and various forms of electronic media.

Guidelines

1. Never post any personal health information (PHI) about an individual patient to any electronic media, other than the patient's electronic health record. "Personal health information" means information as defined by HIPAA which may identify an individual patient. This guideline applies even if the patient's information has been de-identified so that the only person who may be able to identify the individual is the patient himself.

2. Never post a photograph or image of a patient to any electronic media, other than the patient's electronic medical record. Use of cameras or cell phone cameras in the patient care setting shall be for the sole purpose of assisting in the care and treatment of the patient or for educational purposes. Any photographs taken in the patient care setting must be posted to the patient's electronic medical record.

3. Comply with all applicable institutional policies or guidelines regarding any use of information technology resources, including the use of institutional trademarks or logos. The use of the name "WVU Healthcare" is restricted and may not be used without permission from the WVU Health Sciences Office of the Chancellor.

4. Never post any information about colleagues or co-workers to any electronic media without their explicit written permission. Respect for the privacy of others is an important part of the professionalism of our WVU Health Sciences community.

5. Never become an electronic "friend" of a patient in any electronic media or require that a patient become a "friend" of the health care provider in order to influence or maintain the patient-health care provider relationship.

6. Never misrepresent in any electronic media that an individual faculty, staff or student is acting on behalf of West Virginia University or WVU Health Sciences.

7. Maintain the professionalism standards of your profession in all aspects in the use of internet, electronic networking or social media.