Medtales Code of Conduct: Do’s, Don’ts, and Acknowledgements

All users:

• Maintain decorum and professionalism at all times.

• Report improper, illegal, or objectionable behavior, postings, or activities.

• Do not post racist, sexist, etc. comments or materials; do not respond to another post in a racist, sexist, etc. manner.

• Do not post in a harassing, threatening, or abusive manner.

• Do not engage in name-calling, ad hominem, or personal attacks.

• Do not attempt to identify an unidentified poster, individual referenced in a story, or any other person.

• Do not impersonate another identifiable person.

• Do not post trade secrets, confidential information, or information you do not have the legal right to post.

• Do not post obscene, pornographic, or objectionable material or use obscene or objectionable language.

• Do not post anything if doing so would be illegal.

• Acknowledge the right of Medtales to remove any post for any reason.

• Acknowledge the right of Medtales to entirely remove posting rights of any person.

• Acknowledge that anonymity may not be ensured.

• Acknowledge that the information available through the Site or App is for informational purposes only and is NOT for medical diagnosis or treatment

Patients/Individuals:

• Only post your own information.

• Remove information in your own story that may identify another individual, if possible.

• Do not post information relating to anyone else unless you have their express consent.

• Acknowledge that if you elect to be anonymous, your anonymity cannot be assured.

• Acknowledge that it may be impossible to ever remove your information.

Physicians, Nurses, Other Providers:

• Do not post any information that could be Personal Health Information (PHI).

• Remove all 18 PHI identifiers from any post.

• Remove any other information that could identify an individual.

• Do not post photos that might contain identifying information.

• Obtain HIPAA-compliant patient authorization if there is any question about identifiability.

• Where possible, eliminate or conceal identifying information not relevant to the story:

  • Gender (if possible).

  • Location (if you are identified or your history of posts indicates you are located in a particular area, be aware that a reader might be able to infer a location).

  • Time (remove actual date or reference to season if applicable).

  • Other details (ancillary details that might identify a patient).

• Acknowledge obligation to comply with HIPAA and other applicable privacy, confidentiality, and data security laws and regulations, and indemnify Medtales for any violation of same by the poster.

• Acknowledge that any posting is in full compliance with any policies and procedures of the poster’s employer, licensing or certifying agency, board, or other entity having authority over the poster.