Protected health information (PHI) is subject to strict regulations under HIPAA, which is designed to safeguard patient privacy. Sharing PHI on social media platforms without the patient's explicit written authorization violates these privacy protections. Patients have a right to control how their personal health information is used and shared, and this requires consent that is typically documented in writing.
Even if the intention behind sharing PHI seems harmless or well-meaning, any disclosure of identifiable health information without appropriate authorization can lead to serious legal repercussions for both individuals and healthcare institutions. Therefore, the necessity for written patient authorization is a fundamental principle of respecting and maintaining patient confidentiality, aligning with the core requirements of HIPAA.
The other choices incorrectly imply that there are conditions under which PHI can be shared without explicit patient consent, which undermines the privacy protections that HIPAA is meant to establish.