guideline for photography on Neonatal unit! HELP!

prmenrs, RN · Jul 14, 2005

We had a consent given to all moms, granting their permission for their baby to be photographed. (It's the same consent for any pt in the hospital.) If their picture is taken, esp. by one of the attendings for use in a publication or for lectures, all identifying stuff (name cards, toys, religious cards--sometimes it's a wonder the infant has any room) on the bed must be removed. That's also true if the media is taking photos for a news piece, unless the family is there to consent to the TV people.

sparkyRN · Jul 14, 2005

Another issue to consider is families taking pictures in the unit. While we encourage them to bring their cameras and shoot pictures of their baby, they are not allowed to take pictures of other babies or any video pictures. Our unit is older, with a large open room that allows easy visualization of many patients. It really is difficult to maintain privacy in such a setting. Most of our families are very understanding. For publication, their is a consent form that must be signed before pictures can be used.

JVanRN · Jul 14, 2005

We don't have a special consent that I know of. I'm sure if we had someone wanting to take photos for studies or media type things we would but that doesn't happen very much if at all. But just a general consent, no we don't have one (probably should though. Generally parents and family are allowed to take pictures...we make sure that they stay at the babies bedside only. Family/visitors are not allowed to take pictures from the windows outside. Camera's are only allowed in the unit. Most families respect this.

The only time I have a problem with pictures is when it gets excessive...I dont' mean too many pictures. But when family members just keep snapping pictures of the baby over and over trying to get a "good" picture and the flash is continuously going off in the baby's face like they are being ambushed by papparazzi. This startles some babies and we have lots of babies that are supposed to be minimal stimulation. In that case I will say something. I will ask that flash not be used or just take one or 2 and be done with it (or try another time). I explain to them about stimulating the baby ect. Usually they get it and didn't mean to cause any sort of harm. Just not thinking.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2005

If we are taking pictures of the babies to use for educational purposes (such as unit inservices, nursing seminars, and orientation), we have a consent form for the mothers to sign. It basically explains that the baby's name will not be used and that the photos will only be seen by medical professionals.

Now, if a baby's photo is being taken for some kind of nursing magazine or for a newspaper story, a separate consent is used because the photo will be much more widespread.

Leofric · Jul 16, 2005

thanks for those thoughts and comments everyone!

Do any other units have pics of previous babies on the walls for the parents etc to see!? This is the practice on my unit and the parents find it helpful to see that others have shared the same or similar experiences as them!? However, it could be argued that this breaches the NMC code which everything must be done exlusively in the interest of the patient... whether having their pic on the wall is... i dont think so!

i am nearly done drawing up the unit guideline and basically it means we will now have a consent form for any photo of a baby for any use. When parents send or bring in photos to be displayed , i dont know whether they should sign a consent as they may change their minds later!? Is implied consent enough i wonder!?

well, im off now to enjoy a rare nice summers day in Lincoln, UK so bye for now ! Leo

sparkyRN · Jul 16, 2005

I would think that implied consent exists if the picture is one taken by the family and sent in or given to you for display. You may want to label the back of the pictures with the family's name if they should ask later for the picture to be removed.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jul 18, 2005

As for the photos that parents send in of their NICU grads - we place them all on a window right inside the entrance to the NICU. Every parent who has a baby there will walk right by them on their way into the unit, so they know that the photos are put on display. Most send pictures after discharge with this in mind - they want to "show off" their miracle babies! They remember how much seeing those pictures helped THEM when their babies were sick, and they want to pass that on to other parents. So there is no consent needed - by sending the pics addressed to the NICU, they know where the photos will end up and it's assumed that they want them displayed.

KK7724 · Sep 26, 2005

Okay,

How does it work if you as the nurse, just want a picture of yourself at work taken by a fellow nurse or somebody on the unit?? Not of the baby's face or anything?? What's the rule or guideline on that??

~Kristina, RN, BSN~

BlueYYsRN · Sep 27, 2005

We had a family donate a photo printer and our unit bought a digital camera so we get lots of baby pics. I dont think we have any kind of special consent but we can get pics of babies with their parents or we can get good pics when the opportunity arises to give to parents. Parents really seem to like it. We store most of the pics on the computer so now we have pics that are several years old. We like to make a photo album for babies who have been with us for a long time and are getting discharged.