hidden cameras in patient's room

Katnip, RN · Oct 31, 2005

Hidden cameras? The only cameras we have in our ED is for the psych rooms and they're only on if we have a violent or suicidal patient. As for families installing them, I'd think that would be a serious violation of patient privacy.

If it's in their own home, then I'd have no problem, but doesn't even law enforcement have to have a good reason and a court order to place cameras?

As far as doing extra work per family request, I'd tell them to hire a private duty nurse. That's what they're there for. Your job is to follow hospital policy and prioritize according to patient needs, not what the family wants.

student4ever · Oct 31, 2005

Our facility policy is q2 hours and to me that is not right. Everyone else gets q2hr rounds. This doesn't seem prudent to me because I could just be asking to be set up. What do you think?

Are you saying that q2hr rounds don't seem right, or that giving one resident preferential treatment does not seem right? If you're saying giving preferential treatment does not sound right, I agree with you. I would tell the patient's family that the policy states q2hrs, that it is sufficient, that the resident has a call bell with which to call you if they need anything within that 2hr period, and that if they want him/her to be monitored more closely, they are welcome to call him/her or sit with him/her all day.

Now, if you're saying q2hr checks are not right in your opinion, I don't think it sounds too off the mark. I work in an ED, and we do vitals and checks on each patient q1hr. Generally, these patients are having a lot done to them though, and frequent medications, so frequent vs are a good idea. I know that on the admitting units though, they don't do them as often - I think maybe q4hrs? Not sure though.

Talk to your manager about your concerns.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2005

We have hidden cameras in my facility but they are not in areas that patients would be in. They have them in employes zones only( for stealing and such). We had this come up once and told the family the only way you could have cameras in the room is if the room mates family agreed. We do q2hr rounds as well, but we have one patient that demands to be turned every 1 hour and it takes 15-20 min to turn him. This is a big problem because the other patients have to wait. He has the call light on every 10-15 min wanting nick pickin stuff and will keep the staff running all day. It has gotton so bad that the other families are complaining. Dont know the answer here but Im with ya!!!

Does anyone know if it is legal for patient's families to have hidden cameras in patient's rooms? What are the legal implications there?
At our facility there is a sign posted in the front lobby that states you could be recorded. I was just curious. I don't think we have them because we have a lot of thieves in our facility and it is sad. And no, I'm not doing anything wrong. It's just that there are soooo many people where I work that seem sue happy and I feel nit picked to DEATH.
Also, another ? about this particular patient whose family wants extra 1hr rounds done on them by the nurse and CNA. We have to initial a special sheet on this person where we and the CNA checked on them every 30 min and we have a lot of other patient. Our facility policy is q2 hours and to me that is not right. Everyone else gets q2hr rounds. This doesn't seem prudent to me because I could just be asking to be set up. What do you think?

Shell5 · Oct 31, 2005

I totally agree with q2hr. rounds. The sit. is such that the patient is paralyzed and can't call for help, can't wheel self, but we take care of him. His daughter is a RN and raises hell if one little thing is out of place. As a result, our MDS Coord/LVN and RN/DON have come up with this form on their own where the floor nurse is to check q1hr and aide is to check on him q1hr. Our policy is q2hr. I believe this is unreasonable and is only to passify the daughter and is not fair to the other residents. I don't want to put mysef under anymore pressure nor legal scrutiny if I don't have to. The patient sustained these long term injuries as a result of an error in surgery and I believe that the family is sooooooooo angry still and is overly cautious, however, it is coming out as fear and anger and I think they are sue happy as well. I feel so afraid where I'm at all the time becuase of the alleged hidden cameras. The son of the pt also does hidden cameras, security for a living, so that makes it worse. It just seems that no matter what happens it's never good enough for certain people and they are trying to find something wrong so they can ***** you out.

achot chavi · Oct 31, 2005

We have hidden cameras in my facility but they are not in areas that patients would be in. They have them in employes zones only( for stealing and such). We had this come up once and told the family the only way you could have cameras in the room is if the room mates family agreed. We do q2hr rounds as well, but we have one patient that demands to be turned every 1 hour and it takes 15-20 min to turn him. This is a big problem because the other patients have to wait. He has the call light on every 10-15 min wanting nick pickin stuff and will keep the staff running all day. It has gotton so bad that the other families are complaining. Dont know the answer here but Im with ya!!!

We also have hidden cameras where I used to work and some were stolen others vandalized etc. When they first came out some extroverts purposely undressed in front of them. Clue you in as to why I left? I dont think cameras work unless there are repercussions and administrators arent afraid to use them properly.

Regarding the patient who requires so much of yuor time that other patients are neglected, You must inform Social Services and insisit on a private CNA!

Or at least a family member should sit with him to respond to the nitpicking stuff!

Fiona59 · Oct 31, 2005

Reminds of the story from the Interior of British Columbia. A family placed one of those nanny-cams in their family members room and then charged everyone they could with abuse. The case is still in the courts I think, but most of the staff have been reinstated.

I've worked with families that have demanded we sign off their "worksheets" everytime we changed, fed, turned, etc.

Don't agree with it. Facility policy is there for a reason and if families want extra that is why there are private agencies to provide one on one care over and above what the system provides.

casi, ASN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

I work in Assisted Living and we've had a hiden camera or two. Management has placed them in residents room with resident and family's permission when a resident claims someone is stealing from them. The cameras have caught aides stealing.

I haven't run across families out to get everyone before, and I guess until I come across those kind of people I'm fine with the cameras. The worst thing they'll catch me doing is picking a wedgie.

mandykal, ADN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

Do what I do when I see a camera, SMILE and wave. Even write on a paper "Can you see better with the light on?"

Shell5 · Nov 1, 2005

:clown: :chuckle :roll :nurse: :mad:

You all have been funny and helpful...Thanks!!!

PMHNP10 · Nov 1, 2005

Does anyone know if it is legal for patient's families to have hidden cameras in patient's rooms? What are the legal implications there?
At our facility there is a sign posted in the front lobby that states you could be recorded. I was just curious. I don't think we have them because we have a lot of thieves in our facility and it is sad. And no, I'm not doing anything wrong. It's just that there are soooo many people where I work that seem sue happy and I feel nit picked to DEATH.
Also, another ? about this particular patient whose family wants extra 1hr rounds done on them by the nurse and CNA. We have to initial a special sheet on this person where we and the CNA checked on them every 30 min and we have a lot of other patient. Our facility policy is q2 hours and to me that is not right. Everyone else gets q2hr rounds. This doesn't seem prudent to me because I could just be asking to be set up. What do you think?

I'm no lawyer (although many believe I should have become one), so my suggestion is to contact one. All I do know is that there are consent laws for audio taping that vary state to state. See: http://www.spyman.com/laws.htm

One would think the same would apply for video, but never assume. I also know that families do videotape in hospital setting all the time and it's perfectly legal--in the L&D suites, but like audio taping, perhaps the laws vary from state to state.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

I think this subject was posted before? Might help to do a search.

I think I remember someone saying that is has to be posted that their is video surveilance and that you have to have consent from all residents?

As far as the q 1hr. What happens on 11-7 when there is only 2 or 3 staff for 50+ residents and you are tied up? Is it care planned? If so you need to follow the care plan. Sometimes it might be easier to do the q 1 hr checks and stick with them instead of the every 5-10 minutes on the call bell thing. How about getting the ombudsman involved?