---
title: Is it Safe to Send That Text?
description: "Read our latest Claims Rx Issue, \"Workplace Bullying: How It Effects Patient Safety & Liability Risk Exposure\" today."
image: https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Email/Claims_Rx/2022/February/ClaimsRx_Feb2022_CoverPage.jpg
---

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# [***CLAIMS Rx*** DIRECTORY](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx)

## RISK MANAGEMENT PUBLICATION

# Is it Safe to Send That Text?

February 2022

When engaging in patient care and treatment, it is important to consistently weigh the risks and benefits of text messaging and determine whether it is appropriate under the circumstances. As the case studies in this article show, careless text messaging practices in the healthcare environment can contribute to patient injury and substantially complicate the defense of malpractice claims. While taking advantage of improvements in efficiency and patient safety that text messaging can bring, it is important to recognize and manage privacy, security, patient safety, and professional liability risks. Using the strategies in this article can reduce the risk of medical errors, malpractice lawsuits, and HIPAA/HITECH violations caused by texting.

| **RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES** “Distracted Practice” **CASE ONE** Unprofessional Text Messages **CASE TWO** Deleted and Forgotten Text Messages Used to Impeach Testimony **CASE THREE** Contradictory Text Messages from Different Members of the Healthcare Team **CASE FOUR** Follow-Up Via Texting | **CASE FIVE** Admissions of Liability in Text Messages **RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES** HIPAA, HITECH, and Confidentiality |
| --- | --- |

 

**Related Topics:** [Coordination of Care](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/coordination-of-care), [Communication](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/communication), [Follow-up](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/follow-up), [Documentation](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/documentation), [HIPAA](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/hipaa), [Physician-Patient Relationship](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/physician-patient-relationship)

bullying, workplace bullying, disrespect, horizontal hostility, relational aggression, lateral violence, mobbing, incivility, disruptive behavior, workplace violence, insidious intimidation,

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