Page 13 - 2021 Risk Reduction Series - Communication Part Two

SVMIC Risk Reduction Series: Communication

It must be remembered that inter-office messaging, tasking,

and other forms of electronic communication are a legal part of
the medical record. This would include texting and email. Many

providers and staff often forget this and make inappropriate
or offensive comments that they assume will only be seen by

the intended recipient. However, in the event of a lawsuit, as
this case illustrates, these electronic communications can be

reproduced and used against the provider at trial.

The best practice is to always keep the wording of the
communication appropriate and respectful even if it is believed

that no one else is going to see it other than the intended
recipient. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, Would I want

this communication to be viewed by twelve jurors on a 6-foot
screen at my malpractice trial? If the answer is No, don’t hit the

send button.

Social Media

Social media, (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blog posts, etc.)

has quickly become a major media platform for businesses
as well as individuals. Initially popular with the younger set,

today everyone, from grandmothers to politicians, relies on
social media to communicate. Many non-healthcare-related

enterprises use these resources to enhance communication
with current and potential customers, but these programs can

be pitfalls for healthcare providers, who must ensure that their
online presence does not violate legal and/or ethical standards.

Ethical considerations that exist with social media include

defining a professional boundary for limiting contact with an
online ‘friend’ who is also a patient. In an effort to address

this potential problem, the American Medical Association

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