24/7 Video Cameras in ICU rooms

Specialties Critical

Published

So I have a question for ya'll.

I work in a large pedi cardiac ICU. Being cards a majority of our patients are newborn-toddler however we also have a population of 20-40 year olds (those hypoplasts just keep on living now!). We are soon to be moving into a brand new, technology overloaded unit :uhoh3: One thing that every room will have is a video camera pointed directly at the patient bed. The "purpose" of the cameras is supposed to be able to go back and review events leading to an Event ie code, rapid deploy to ECMO, etc. Concern is where these camera's are just going to be another way to place blame on why something happened, aka the nurse. I see the benefits in reviewing these events to see where we can improve in our processes but something tells me it won't just be for that.

So, wondering if any other units anywhere use a system like this...what you like/dislike about it. Also how would you, the adult patient, feel being videotaped the entirety of your ICU stay whether you were an up and about "walkie talkie" or sedated post op?

I'm interested to hear your thoughts!

Specializes in CVICU.

I'm wondering if audio is or can be recorded as well with the video. Those of you who have no problem with being video taped because you are doing nothing wrong have to think about the possiblity of video without audio being out of context. In order to have a more accurate reflection of what one is seeing hearing the audio going on in the room would be necessary. This would open up a whole new kettle of fish.

This whole Big Brother thing is getting rather scary. In my hospital cameras are EVERYWHERE supposedly for security purposes. Now cameras are every where you go in public, mounted on light posts, every intersection, literally everywhere. Recording audio is easy with shot gun mics. The day will come where there will be no where one will be able to have a private conversation.

The only limiting factor is processing power to sort and filter all of this recorded data. However that one day soon will not be a limitation. Live audio will be able to be run through keyword filters and when triggered the recording begins.

Don't forget that every conversation you have on the phone and every keystroke you place on the internet passes through an NSA super computer somewhere in the US and is logged. Again processing power prevents most info from being noticed, but if you become a person of interest, then everything you have done on the phone or online can be brought to light.

Just because you are doing what you are supposed to do and think you are doing nothing wrong, you should be concerned.

If I were a patient, unless I was comatose drugged out of my mind, or too sick to care, I would be creeped out.

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.
Unrelated question.

So, those Hypoplasts keep on livin now, huh? I am very very glad to hear it, as my best friend's 6 year old daughter is one. She does wonderfully too, and my friend has her enrolled in studies at CHOP to follow her through her life so that they can see what can help those kids live longer and longer.

So, a 40 year old with HLHS is going to your peds cardiac unit? They do not go to regular cardiac units when they grow up/ Can you share why? Is it because the adult cardiologists have never dealt with the syndrome because as we know for many years kids were not making it that long?

I hope they start to have cardiologists get used to adults living with HLHS, because I have a feeling it is going to keep happening and for much longer.

My soon to be 15 yr old son is hypoplastic left heart. He too will be going to Childrens for his care as an adult. I wouldn't want him anywhere else. Childrens has the most experenience dealing with this seeing as it's a relatively new adult condition d/t them living into adulthood (Yea!!!!!!). Childrens Hospitals are up to date on the lates precedures, techniques, meds, everything.

Specializes in LTC, Medical, Rehab, Psych.

Agree that we are being monitored all the time. And from the tone of this post, it's more socially acceptable than some of us would like it to be.

This is a liability game. The sole purpose is to absolve the facility of liability by placing blame on the individual. Sorry but there just isn't another reason to do it. It's very inexpensive technology that will save many thousands of dollars down the line.

Another indication of the value of the worker.

Specializes in Med/surg, ER/ED,rehab ,nursing home.

As a patient, I would not want to be on camera. Though with second thoughts, it would have caught those nurses who were abusive and tormenting. We have cameras in certain rooms for suicide watch and other issues such as getting up and being unstable. Of course the person watching those cameras also has to watch the heart monitors. Too much time lapse even if you were called on your cell phone.

Check your signed Consents for Treatment- the form all patients have to sign regardless of their inpatient/outpatient status. Ours includes consenting to the video-taping. This is a whole different ballgame than publishing the film.

Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

keeping an eye on the pediatric patient, it keeps an eye on high care kids, but big brother will be watching..aka lawsuits. covering admin's ass from litigation

not dissimilar to jail cells close circuits on criminals in isolation (aka suicidal inmates).

get used to it. I usually wave at the cameras.

I love the military terms you use.

you have to develop a sense of humour, because of the amount of paranoia out there now. Every one is afraid of their butts.

I work on a tele/med surg floor and we have the capability to monitor every room. For awhile we had about six dedicated pt rooms with cameras for those extra confused ones and/or Baker Acts. But it got crazy when we would have to juggle people room to room to get the right ones on a camera. Now we have them in every room, but rarely turn them on unless someone is confused and a fall risk. Occasionally we watch something odd -- and actually caught a male boyfriend/"caregiver" stuffing his beloved with benzos. No wonder the woman had been in that state for a year. It led to a court intervention.

HOWEVER, everyone is informed that they CAN be monitored and have the right to refuse. Given how we use it pt families are happy to have extra monitoring.

As a unit secretary the camera option comes in handy when looking for a nurse to see if he/she is tied up as well as being able to see if staff is already with someone whose bed alarm is going off.

I admit, it is a little creepy, and I would put a gown or glove over the camera if I were the pt. but it serves a purpose with careful use.

I WISH St. Joseph Hospital in Denver had video cameras. When I was visiting my ex-husband on the cardiology unit, both my wallet and his were stolen out of his room while we were out in the hallway for his 5 minute walk. It HAD to have been an employee, but no way to prove anything and our wallets were never recovered.

As a patient I would hate being video taped. As a nurse I agree if you know what your doing which you should; it shouldn't matter if you are being video taped or not. However, I see where some of the comments have a point, what's the purpose patient safety or to label blame on someone when something goes wrong.

I have done some research on telemedicine though. I do believe that healthcare is headed that direction. I hope not for awhile though. I feel it is very impersonal. It will benefit cost but I feel decrease patient satisfaction. A number of times I have seen people become more at ease once the physician has been in the room and explained things. No technology can replace the touch of a human hand.

If video taping is present, I feel patient's must be informed and have a right to choose if they are or aren't recorded.

Specializes in psych, general, emerg, mash.

agreed! it not for the staff, ICU is INTENSIVE care. But its up to the patient. If the patient is slipping in & out of groggy, yes. That what ICU means.

Why would you leave valuables in a public room without lock & key. Why is his wallet in ICU lock. Someone KNEW where to look, lesson learned??

Looking back at this old post, the transition to video camera's hasn't been the nightmare we all imagined. Our video camera's are used to review codes typically and see what went well/what didn't. It has not been used to place blame. We routinely do E-CPR (rapid deploy to ecmo) and this is a skill we practice monthly in a sim room but nothing beats being able to go back and review a real life situation to see where improvements can be made

Turns out we also can turn the camera's to "privacy" mode (camera will turn and face the wall) per family/patient request.

Hmmm I never pondered about the "creepy" aspect of having cameras in the icu. When I went for my interview, they showed me the impressive 40+ inch screen with all the patient rooms broken up into little boxes I said "wow this could really be helpful for patient care ". I never thought they could be watching me . Now I feel overly paranoid lol!

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