Dang, Clipper!
At what point did commonsense no longer apply to EMS providers? Is the OP asking people to condone the examples he linked to? Do you really feel it is right to take photos of your patients with the intent of posting them for the amusement of others who share your like views of patients even if it means humiliation for the patient?
Those who toss the term HIPAA around are usually the least informed about privacy, security and confidentiality laws. Each of those terms are defined differently. HIPAA clearly states that state and local laws can exceed what it mandates. It does not cover everything and that is where State Patient Privacy Acts come in. Local agencies can also set stricter policies. Maybe now would be a good time for some to read their agency's manual. I also find it hard to believe that EMS providers are not given training upon hire and at least yearly updates on any new policies or regulations. It seems only a couple here actually know their company's policies.
This forum also compliments the scanner since it sometimes fills in the blanks for the interesting calls from last shift which some might hear about in their area and are curious about the details. Even though anonymous names are used, most have given enough information to know where you work and even who you are by some of the photos posted. Once people know you are discussing their neighbors it is easy to get the scoop off forums and social media to fuel the rumor mills.
With all the horrific events and patients which have been taken to the hospitals, how many times have you seen any details about the patients on the nursing forums? The few times privacy was violated the nurses made the local and national new quickly for their violations. Hospitals have huge IT departments which monitor employees for violations. For decades other health care professionals were taught in school and on the job not to even discuss your patients at home. It just takes your kid or spouse repeating something innocently to someone else and you can kiss your job good-bye and face stiff penalties from the state. It just now looks like EMS is catching up. This is nothing new in the world of health care. It seems to just be new to EMS. Having access to more media still does not make it right to violate the trust people place in your when they are most vulnerable.
This post could have been more productive had it been about you and not about the rest of us. I'll assume that it is all your opinion and the rhetorical questions are just that, not accusations.
That said (harrumph),
I basically agree with you. Although some cases have been made for exceptionally repulsive stuff being an amendment right, being unprofessional or presenting matter which injures the company /agency or its clients and employees can rightly get you fired and make it darn hard to get hired elsewhere. It could even lead to loss of license or certificate (doesn't yours have a clause about "moral turpitude"?).
And public employees....double that. Some states, if you are their employee you can lose your retirement investment (you get the principle back, you lose all accrued interest) for ANY felony. Gotta not only be sharp, but look sharp, too.
Now, party photos and etc., as long as they don't create a workplace issue, ought to be protected, I think. And if the workplace issue is due to someone else being upset about it, some counseling for both of you seems in order. Starting with "Grow Up".
PS: as with tattoos, ever see a fire chief, or senator, whose career survives outrageous posting of material? Yeah, nor I. Word to the wise, unless you want to be frozen in your career ladder as a juvenile, ditch the t shirt with your naked GF on it and stop with the pouting onesies on Facebook.
