Van Diest Medical Center understands the important role online communication plays in our patients’ lives, and we look forward to using a variety of online tools (Van Diest Medical Center website, social media sites, etc.) to engage in conversation with our patients and the general public. Of course, we want those who may use these tools to understand the role Van Diest Medical Center plans to take with its sites and the general terms in which we expect our participants to follow. Please understand that by using any of our social media sites or the Van Diest Medical Center website in any manner, you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions that we have laid out in this policy.

Most importantly, Van Diest Medical Center will adhere to all state and federal laws regarding protecting patients’ private health information (PHI), and we will not give out medical advice through any of our sites.

Van Diest Medical Center’s Role on our Sites

Van Diest Medical Center:

  • Will protect patients’ PHI (Protected Health Information) and adhere to all HIPAA regulatory and privacy laws. (See Privacy Policy for more information)
  • Will remove any posts made by a participant that reveals the PHI of another individual.  
  • Will not offer diagnostic or treatment advice through any of our social media sites or any unsecured section of our website - any Van Diest Medical Center posts about health topics are strictly for educational purposes and should not be used for self-diagnosing.
  • Will not be responsible for the posts of third parties on any of our sites, especially any medical advice being given out by a third party.
  • Will make every effort to monitor and respond to content/posts on the site and ensure content is appropriate.
  • Will remove any post that fails to follow the terms set forth for participants in this policy.
  • May remove any post that is deemed inappropriate even if it does not violate our policy terms.
  • May block any individual from any of our sites who fails to follow the terms set forth in the policy.
  • May reproduce or modify any post placed on any of our sites in advertisement and media relations.

Viewers’ Role on our Sites

Viewers:

  • Will not post anything that infringes on the rights of others, including releasing others’ PHI or other private information.
  • Will acknowledge that posts on social media sites are completely public and can be seen by anyone. Please consider this before posting any information about yourself, especially information about your personal health.
  • Will not post any solicitations/advertisements or chain letters/forwards, including solicitations for fundraising not endorsed by the hospital.
  • Will not post anything that is the intellectual property of others or copyrighted material.
  • Will not post anything that is unlawful, obscene, slanderous, abusive, threatening, defamatory, hateful, etc.
  • Will not post the same material multiple times, or “spam” our sites.
  • Will not impersonate anyone via our social media sites or let anyone post anything under his or her name.
  • Will indemnify Van Diest Medical Center  against any damages, losses, liabilities, judgments, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) arising out of a claim by a third party relating to any material you have posted.
  • Will notify administrator of site if any content is viewed as inappropriate.