Microphones and Web Cams

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

Does anyone know of any regulations regarding residents' families having webcams and microphones IN the resident room? It's a private room...but the resident wears a microphone. We suspect there is a web cam somewhere in the room but are loathe to search every nook and cranny. The woman isn't cognitively intact. There is no consent in the chart for the microphone. We all think it's a case of the family member trying to intimidate the staff. The woman has been in at least 3 other facilities. Any ideas about the regs? I tried to call the DPH but gave up after 12 rings without an answer.

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
I don't invite family to help, ever. I think most of the responses would be "that's your job." After all.... if the family wanted to do all this stuff, the resident would be at their home.

However, if a family member asks to assist me with a transfer or ADL (it has happened once or twice) I will usually let them (if the resident is ok with it) and make sure the family member is using proper back mechanics, asepsis, etc.

You might want to rethink allowing a family member to help you. proper body mechanics or not...if they get hurt during the transfer..they WILL sue. and it wont be just the facility they sue..they will hold you personally responsible. and since you are more than likely going against company policy...your employer would throw you under the proverbial bus. please rethink this!

Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

We do allow and encourage family to assist with cares and transfers when they are on the rehab unit. The therapy department shows them the proper way to transfer or reposition. These are residents that will be going home to the community again and the families will need to know how to help with this once they are home.

If family or the resident comments about previous meds that the resident is on, we do check the chart and hospital notes because usually we can find the reason that the change was made and then it is explained to the family. But, there have been times where the family was right and the oversight was the MD's.

Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
We do allow and encourage family to assist with cares and transfers when they are on the rehab unit. The therapy department shows them the proper way to transfer or reposition. These are residents that will be going home to the community again and the families will need to know how to help with this once they are home.

If family or the resident comments about previous meds that the resident is on, we do check the chart and hospital notes because usually we can find the reason that the change was made and then it is explained to the family. But, there have been times where the family was right and the oversight was the MD's.

we allow that as well if they are being skilled for caregiver training and/or it is very well careplanned and the family is with the therapist. otherwise, families/visitors are not allowed to assist in care at all due to liability.

as you can tell from my post, i was venting about ridiculous demands by familiy members. of course we check the chart and explain changes to families. again, my post was just venting about the families that continue to demand ridiculous changes that are detrimental to the care of the patient DESPITE our explanation.

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
We do allow and encourage family to assist with cares and transfers when they are on the rehab unit. The therapy department shows them the proper way to transfer or reposition. These are residents that will be going home to the community again and the families will need to know how to help with this once they are home.

If family or the resident comments about previous meds that the resident is on, we do check the chart and hospital notes because usually we can find the reason that the change was made and then it is explained to the family. But, there have been times where the family was right and the oversight was the MD's.

Educating the family is an important aspect of pt care when the patient is going home and the family will care fr the pt at home, we all agree.

re:previous meds, I too have found situations where meds were mistakenly overlooked. Though I don;t tell that to the pt or the family- I usually say that we will have our MD get in touch with the previous one and find out why it was dropped as it is in the pt's best interest to take FEWER meds etc, and if we want the med given we restart it..

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