Video cameras

I feel if abuse is suspected by al means a camera should be use, but the use of a camera any other times just seems like an invasion of privacy on that resident. Think about it this way, what if your family members put in a camera in your bedroom, and you found out later, wouldn't you feel invaded? I

We have used video cameras in a few select cases. The resident and the family gave us permission to video tape. We had one resident who kept having a dollar here and there disappear. We planted 5 one dollar bills in her coin purse which was always kept in her bedside table. I had the nurses (with the resident's permission) count the money twice a day. We recorded 24 hours per day. We did not review the tapes until the money disappeared. I then only had 12 hours of tape to review. Needless to say the person stealing the money waited till the room was empty then helped herself to $2.00. We called the police and initially the employee denied stealing until she was confronted with the video tape. It also helped validate a finding against the CNA on the Registry.

I certainly would not like to see them in every room - but in select cases they do help catch thieves, etc. I certainly did not suspect the persons we have ended up catching. We have used the cameras 4 times that I am aware of. All employees are informed upon hiring that we do have the ability and will use camera survellance in certain situations.

If my mother ever had to go into a nursing home, I would want her room "bugged" and video tapes taken. If a family member can't be at their aging loved one's bedside 24/7, then a video is the next best thing. God help anyone who would abuse my mother if she ever became one of their patients.

I once worked in a child care center, and the center had video cameras pointed at staff in more ways than I can count. Even when a staff member took a child to the potty, the bathroom door had to be left completely open so the cameras could pick up on how the child was being helped, or touched, or not touched, etc., to prevent any incidences of child abuse in their center. Marvelous idea, I think, because some children aren't that mature when it comes to what "healthy touching" is by a staff member, and "unhealthy touching", so having them on camera is a much better means of being able to tell how a child was "managed" in the potty room.