The "Responsible Use of Social Media in Healthcare" online training course educates staff on topics such as

• recognizing the value and the risks and consequences of using social media
• identifying the negative impact of improper use of social media
• defining best practices for using social media
• HIPAA and privacy concerns.

With a smartphone and camera in almost every employee's pocket and the widespread use of social-media sites, healthcare facilities must provide guidance to their staff members or open themselves up to significant risk and liability. Improper or irresponsible use of social media by staff members can result in federal and state regulatory violations and fines, the illegal release of patient information, a damaged reputation, negative publicity, a loss of patient trust, lowered staff morale, and the loss of business.

Using real-life examples, this new online course demonstrates proper and improper use of social media in a healthcare setting. The course features highly engaging and interactive elements with case examples. Content can be customized to include your own logo, company contact information, and links to your policies and procedures. This course is SCORM and AICC compliant for easy integration with HCCS's SimPL Learning Platform or your organization's own learning management system. Completion of the course and final assessment provides learners with a certificate of completion.

"Social-networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn continue to gain popularity, which also brings about increased risk for healthcare facilities," says Ben Diamond, President of HCCS. "Adding this course to the HCCS course library gives healthcare facilities the educational tools they need to reduce their legal risk and prevent potential violations, fines, and other consequences that come with improper postings on social-media sites."