Has anyone had a pt's family member take pictures of you during care?

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Okay, the weirdest thing happend yesterday at work. (Why do I always get the nuts???) The doctor was examining the pt and the pt's wife was holding up her phone. I thought she was looking at something on the phone, but thought that it was odd the way she was holding it up. After the doctor leaves, I am in the process of settling the pt back down and I hear a click. I looked at the pt's wife and asked if she took a picture? She said yes. I asked if I was in it and she said yes, but that was okay, right? I told her that I didn't like people taking pictures of me at work. She brushed it off and said that I was not doing anything wrong, so it shouldn't be a problem. OOOKKKAAAYYY! I really felt like this was a problem. I don't want my picture plastered on the net or something. Don't we have at least a molecule of a right to privacy regarding our picture being taken or since we work with the public, is that right out the window? Any thoughts?

Specializes in NICU Level III.

I have when I floated to newborn nursery. It's like you're in a fish bowl and everyone watches you bathe the babies and takes pictures. Otherwise at deliveries (as part of the neo team) it was mostly just my hands and I've taken pictures with my primaries before for the parents..and they sent me a copy but they asked if I would do it first.

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I have when I floated to newborn nursery. It's like you're in a fish bowl and everyone watches you bathe the babies and takes pictures. Otherwise at deliveries (as part of the neo team) it was mostly just my hands and I've taken pictures with my primaries before for the parents..and they sent me a copy but they asked if I would do it first.

I have seen people taking photos of nurses holding babies in the newborn nursery many, many times, and the nurses seem fine with it. Come to think of it, however, the nurses are wearing masks and surgical caps, so I guess their privacy is protected.

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Specializes in NICU.
I have seen people taking photos of nurses holding babies in the newborn nursery many, many times, and the nurses seem fine with it. Come to think of it, however, the nurses are wearing masks and surgical caps, so I guess their privacy is protected.

Nurses don't wear masks and surgical caps in the newborn nursery area. The masks and surgical caps are for sterile procedures, such as attending a c-section delivery for example.

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Nurses don't wear masks and surgical caps in the newborn nursery area. The masks and surgical caps are for sterile procedures, such as attending a c-section delivery for example.

You had to go there:rolleyes:

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Okay, the weirdest thing happend yesterday at work. (Why do I always get the nuts???) The doctor was examining the pt and the pt's wife was holding up her phone. I thought she was looking at something on the phone, but thought that it was odd the way she was holding it up. After the doctor leaves, I am in the process of settling the pt back down and I hear a click. I looked at the pt's wife and asked if she took a picture? She said yes. I asked if I was in it and she said yes, but that was okay, right? I told her that I didn't like people taking pictures of me at work. She brushed it off and said that I was not doing anything wrong, so it shouldn't be a problem. OOOKKKAAAYYY! I really felt like this was a problem. I don't want my picture plastered on the net or something. Don't we have at least a molecule of a right to privacy regarding our picture being taken or since we work with the public, is that right out the window? Any thoughts?

I personally, wouldn't freak out over a g-rated picture...whether it ends up on the internet, ie. Facebook or not. Seriously...what can someone do with a g-rated pic?

We get our pictures taken all the time, working with infants..I personally don't care..doesn't bother me one way or the other.

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
People have the misconception that a photographer must have your permission to take a photo. Not the case in general, particularly in public places. Even a shopping mall, while owned privately, would be considered a public place under the law.

Note that the "medical facilities" mentioned applies to patients, not staff. A hospital can have a policy against patients taking photos of staff members, and can post signs to that effect. The chances of a criminal charges being filed against a patient's family member for taking a photo of a staff member, however, are extremely remote. In fact, family members have used photography/videography successfully against hospitals, nursing homes, and health care workers in civil court.

Forcefully taking someone's cell phone or camera, however, can get one in big trouble criminally.

http://www.krages.com/ThePhotographersRight.pdf

You are kidding, right?

That is not a criminal offense and you won't find a law in any law book where taking a picture of someone that doesn't want their picture taken, is against the law.

Now, you may have a CIVIL case...but unless you are a celebrity, it is more of a request, than something you can actually take action on.

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you are kidding, right?

that is not a criminal offense and you won't find a law in any law book where taking a picture of someone that doesn't want their picture taken, is against the law.

now, you may have a civil case...but unless you are a celebrity, it is more of a request, than something you can actually take action on.

ummmmm, did you even read my post? that's exactly what i am saying. even a celebrity doesn't have a case unless they can show their image was used to sell products without their permission or they can show extreme harassment.

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Nurses don't wear masks and surgical caps in the newborn nursery area. The masks and surgical caps are for sterile procedures, such as attending a c-section delivery for example.

Ok, my bad. I've been training in an OR lately. Maybe it's transference of my recent experience.:o

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
I personally, wouldn't freak out over a g-rated picture...whether it ends up on the internet, ie. Facebook or not. Seriously...what can someone do with a g-rated pic?

We get our pictures taken all the time, working with infants..I personally don't care..doesn't bother me one way or the other.

Never heard of "photoshop"? Friend of mine (this was a friendly gag mind you) had her picture taken bending over to pic up her kid. Someone took it and worked on it to make it look like she was body slamming him or something.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You are kidding, right?

That is not a criminal offense and you won't find a law in any law book where taking a picture of someone that doesn't want their picture taken, is against the law.

Now, you may have a CIVIL case...but unless you are a celebrity, it is more of a request, than something you can actually take action on.

BabyLady.........he was talking about the taking of the phone itself that is a criminal offense:rolleyes:

Forcefully taking someone's cell phone or camera, however, can get one in big trouble criminally. Horseshoe

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Interesting article about conflicts between hospital personnel and patients over photography during childbirth.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41394822/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

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