Publicly Private
Don’t assume your scandalous message to a fellow nurse will remain an A-B conversation. Once you log on to a shared system, privacy and confidentiality are nonexistent. Make sure your messages are suitable, appropriate, and legal. This is especially important when dealing with patient confidentiality. A seemingly harmless rant to another nurse could end up as ammo down the road. An IT worker can dig up the digital graveyard with a click of the mouse. Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you were to write your message on a postcard, would you be OK with it making the hospital public notice board? If not, don’t send it.
