What to know about participating on Vanderbilt Health's social media pages
The information we provide on these platforms is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as an endorsement or a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you're experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Expectations
- We ask that you treat others, including our moderators, with respect, even if you disagree.
- We may delete comments and posts that we consider slanderous, unlawful, obscene, hateful, soliciting, threatening, abusive, harassing or an infringement of another's rights (including intellectual property, privacy or publicity rights).
- We may remove comments we consider off topic, repetitive, spam or that share or link to unsubstantiated information.
- We may block users who violate these guidelines.
By participating with Vanderbilt Health in social networking communities, you agree to indemnify VUMC against any damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, costs or expenses arising out of a claim by a third party relating to any posts, comments, likes, shares or other social media activity you have undertaken.
Sharing personal information
Social media platforms are third-party public forums and their terms and conditions apply.
Whatever information you share will be seen, and could be altered and shared by others. It may be archived by various third parties. Your posts leave your control forever.
Consider this carefully before posting detailed personal information. Vanderbilt Health has no control over the policies and practices of others.
Social media and online review platforms do not meet the privacy and security requirements of patient privacy regulations. Therefore, we cannot use these third-party channels to address concerns or questions a patient may have about their care or experience, even in direct messages. Instead, we do our best to direct you to an appropriate communications channel or information source.
Below you'll find better ways to contact us for common questions or concerns:
- Message your doctor's office (and so much more!): My Health at Vanderbilt
- Give general feedback about an experience (positive or otherwise): Patient Relations.
- Ask questions about billing and financial assistance: A Guide to Billing
- Anonymously report inappropriate or unprofessional behavior: Integrity Line
- See accepted insurance plans
- Request your medical records
If you're currently an inpatient with a concern about your care or experience, please speak with your nurse or the unit's charge nurse.
Note for our employees
If you are an employee of Vanderbilt Health, all laws and Vanderbilt Health policies apply to your online activity. These include but are not limited to the social media policy as well as HIPAA, compliance, conflict of interest, security and safety. Expectations for CREDO behavior apply. You are responsible for reading and following these policies. Consult your manager if you have questions about your social media activity.
Note for approved Vanderbilt Health social media site moderators: Link to these guidelines on the info or bio area of the platform you are using. Use this URL: http://tinyurl.com/vumcpolicy.