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View Full Version : Is "friending" a HIPAA violation?


Hockey96
Apr 13, 2012, 02:52 PM
Is it a violation of HIPAA laws for a healthcare worker to "friend" a patient's family member on Facebook or other social media sites?

ScottGem
Apr 13, 2012, 03:57 PM
If they became acquainted through the patient, then yes. And it would be a violation to discuss the patient in any medical way.

ballengerb1
Apr 13, 2012, 04:04 PM
I agree it would be a violation to share health information but how they became acquainted is not material to HIPAA. I am new to Facebook but it seems the way you friend someone is to notice they are a friend of one of your existing friends so you send them a request, right?