VA social media policy outlines interaction, patient privacy protection practices

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has formalized its burgeoning social media empire by announcing a policy on how VA employees should use these online platforms. According to a press release, the policy "allows the Department and its employees to leverage emerging platforms that enhance communication, stakeholder outreach, and information exchange."

The new policy explains how employees may apply to create a social media site, describes the proper modes of interaction with veterans, and provides guidance on how to protect the privacy of patient data. Among other things, VA employees are prohibited from using social media to contact individual veterans online...