Social Media Social Media is a general term describing web-based, mobile, or other technologies for social networking and for sharing content and information.

Examples of Social Media sites include, but are not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter; personal websites, blogs, and forums.  is changing the way individuals and organizations communicate and share information. The misuse of social media can pose risks to BJC’s confidential and proprietary information; reputation and brands; and BJC’s compliance with business rules and laws.

Even if you take precautions to ensure enhanced privacy settings on social media sites, all postings should be considered public and freely visible.

Official BJC sites on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc. are permitted as long as they are developed by or approved by the BJC Communications and Marketing Department.  Any sites or pages that have not been approved are subject to review, and may be amended or removed.

Official BJC participation in or on social media sites may be created by, assigned to and maintained by other departments under the guidance of the BJC Communications and Marketing Department.

BJC reserves the right to restrict or limit access to social media sites through the BJC network.

This administrator is responsible for content and making sure the site complies with relevant policies and procedures. Submit the name of your site administrator to the BJC Communications and Marketing Department and notify the department if the site administrator changes.

Please note that only employees designated by the BJC Communications and Marketing Department are authorized to establish BJC accounts on social media or professional networking websites.

Your site administrator needs to ensure that:

1. Content is appropriate, accurate and timely.
   
 
2. Appropriate consent is obtained and documented for content, including words, graphics, photos, video, images, PowerPoint presentations, artwork and any other included elements.
 
3. Content does not constitute advertising.
 
4. Content is monitored, and postings and comments adhere to all policies.
 
5. Offered links are deemed appropriate.
 
6. All content, postings and links comply with all BJC standards, guidelines, policies and procedures.

Follow these guidelines:

1. BJC blogs and social media sites should be accurate and factual.
 
2. Correct any errors immediately and note that a correction was made to the original post on the BJC blog or social media site.
 
3. Blogs should be written and coordinated by BJC staff. Anonymous blogs are not allowed. Third-party blogs may be permitted, with the approval of BJC Communications and Marketing.
 
4. All blogs should include the BJC disclaimer that blogs and posts on BJC social media sites do not constitute medical, legal or other professional advice.
 
5. Comments on BJC social media sites that contain any of the following are subject to editing, rejection or deletion:
 
1. References to first/last names, identifying locations or other personal or patient information.
2. Profanity, racist, sexist, discriminatory, harassing, threats of violence or other derogatory content.
3. Plagiarism, false claims or infringement upon or violation of the rights of third parties such as copyright, trademark, trade secret, confidentiality, intellectual property, patent.
4. Spam, spyware, virus or other component or computer code or script that is or could be harmful.
5. Ads, promotions or solicitations.
 
6. By submitting comments on BJC social media sites, posters agree to accept the BJC site Terms of Use Agreement or the Terms and Conditions of the social media site (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.). Visit Our Policies at www.bjc.org.
   
    
7. All links posted are subject to review.

Please use the following disclaimer for any social media participation from patients, including comments, responses, forums and/or virtual support groups:

“By participating in this social media forum, you acknowledge and agree that you may be voluntarily sharing aspects of your protected health information, as that term is defined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and its supporting regulations, and that BJC is not responsible for the release of this information within this forum, nor does BJC represent that this information is accurate. Any information you receive through this forum does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis or treatment. Do not rely on the information in this forum in place of seeking professional medical advice. BJC HealthCare, its providers and affiliated entities shall not be responsible or liable for any advice, arranging for a course of treatment or follow-up treatment, diagnosis or any other information that you obtain through this forum. You are encouraged to talk to your doctor with regard to information contained within this forum. Reliance on any information within this forum is solely at your own risk. Please be aware that you may be identifying yourself to others in this forum who may seek to contact you based on the information provided here.”

Employees who participate in social media on behalf of BJC or as a representative of BJC must uphold the BJC Code of Conduct, the Social Media guidelines and any other relevant BJC policy. In addition, these responsibilities apply by simply identifying yourself or being identified as a BJC employee on social media sites.

Your use of social media must always be consistent with your job responsibilities and all Human Resources policies addressing work time use, standards of conduct and responsibilities.

While on these sites please remember to:

1. Follow all existing BJC policies, procedures and guidelines. This includes policies addressing HIPAA, release of information, conflict of interest, intellectual property, non-solicitation, internet security and e-mail usage, interactions with vendors and routine department approvals.
 
2. Be professional and respectful in all postings. Always strive to be fair and courteous to co-workers, managers and others who work for BJC.
 
3. When representing BJC, disclose your association with BJC and your role. Use good judgment in these instances, and strive for accuracy as errors and omissions could result in liability for you or for BJC.

Please remember that everything you do in the online environment may be visible to patients, co-workers, managers, competitors and others. As such, you should approach these sites as an extension of the workplace — your behavior and expectations are the same as if you are at work.

You have a right to your personal opinions; however, if your content is inconsistent with or would negatively impact BJC, you should avoid identifying your connection with BJC. If you do identify your connection with BJC then you should make it clear that your comments are not on behalf of BJC.

Regardless of whether you are on a BJC or non-BJC site you should always take the following precautions with social media:

1. Do not provide or post confidential information about patients, including protected health information and photos.
 
2. Make sure your online activities do not interfere with your job responsibilities.
 
3. Do not provide or post BJC’s proprietary or confidential information.
 
4. Never comment on anything related to legal matters or litigation.
 
5. Never share passwords or sign-on IDs.
 
6. Always read and follow the social media site’s User Terms and Conditions.
 
7. Follow copyright, fair use and financial disclosure laws.

Check with the BJC Communications and Marketing Department, Legal Services, Corportate Compliance, Human Resources or IS Security when you have questions on social media participation. Some of these contacts are:

Patrick Donovan, Corporate Communications (314-286-0063, [email protected])
Beth Hughes, Legal Services (314-286-0659, [email protected])
Karen James, Corporate Compliance (314-286-0312, karen.james)
Your local Communications and Marketing Department