Privacy / social media policy


I am involved in various forms of social media such as this website, Twitter, and Facebook just to name a few. My involvement in these and other forums serves to provide general information, education and support. While I do enjoy the interaction that these sites provide I have a few rules:

• Any information or link is provided for general information and not specific medical advice for you. No physician-patient relationship is formed or implied by on-line contact. I cannot and will not provide specific medical advice if you are not an existing patient – for that, in-office consultation or follow with your own physician is required. No post or comment should substitute for advice from your personal physician.

• Existing patients should realize that Twitter, Facebook, blog sites, and other forms of social media are public and searchable. In addition, as I have many responsibilities during the course of the day, messages sent through one of these forums may not be read in a timely fashion. None of these forums are HIPAA compliant and I will not give out specific advice over these non-secure sites. E-mail is also not considered HIPAA compliant which is why I do not interact with my patients via email. Existing patients may contact me using the office phone number 907-562-6262. You may also fax your questions to 907-562-6267. Faxes will only be answered during normal business hours.

• Reposting or retweeting a link or other information is not an endorsement. It might be that I feel the post or comment is interesting or amusing, or I want to spark more conversation.

• I reserve the right to delete any posts or block any users from my sites for any reason.

- Dr. Sandford