hidden cameras in patient's room

suebird3 · 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?"

i just got off midnights, and this made me laugh! :chuckle

we had a camera installed in dietary d/t stealing. yet, at our facility, there is a huge sign, that says no cameras, video taping, etc. is allowed. you know.....hipaa. kinda bites, as many times, people want a photo of their family member......

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

We have 1-2 hour checks on anyone that requests it...and oh boy is that hard for my CNA's! But they do it, bless their hearts~!

Hidden cameras...I would be totally utterly against it! One, if you can't trust employees you hired...even with police background checks..then you better rethink your hiring practices!

But that aside..the patients...when did administrations and healthcare become so powerful that they take away a persons rights to privacy as given to us by our own Constitution?!?!?! Even a person that is in danger of falls has a right to privacy...and a camera isn't going to stop a fall typically...just make sure that if they do someone will be in there promptly to aid them...that can be done in other ways then a camera!

Think about it...when you grow older and need to be helped by a facility...do you wish for cameras to be looking at you? Do you feel that all that money people pay for facilities automatically takes away a persons basic rights??? Do you feel that this will stop abuse or just make abusers choose another way???

I know when I am older I will NOT want a camera placed in my room...my life is my own and I will do what I wish in the privacy of it! What if I wanted some intimate time (either with a guest or self???), what if I wanted to grunt and squirm tolieting and feel that a camera and person is watching??? What if I want to change and won't because I fear someone is watching me??? Heck..what if I wanted to play air guitar or drums...LOL...I still have that right, and don't want people watching me!

It comes down to the patient...and their rights are above all...they have a right NOT to be abused of course, but that should lay with the facilities hiring practices and monitoring staff carefully...not invading a patients rights of privacy!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Nov 1, 2005

A little creative license here...but it is my thoughts on the matter in a poem...

I lay in my bed, and can barely move.

The pain in my hips that nothing can soothe.

I think of the times, the "use to have been"

And a tear crosses my cheek, and I think of my end.

I use to be a mother, a friend, and a wife.

Tending my children, full of strife.

Running after baseballs, making a meal.

Kissing a "boo boo", which always did heal!

I was active in everything my family held dear,

And taught by example with nothing to fear.

I gave lots of hugs, advice, and lots of smiles.

And hoped that my teachings would last quite a while.

I really lived life, through the ups and the downs,

And tried to overcome obstacles with out any frowns.

I cherished my days, with the loved ones I shared,

My loving late husband for whom I was paired.

But now I am in bed, a fall risk they say.

And ponder the relevance of all those fine days.

A camera in my room, a baby monitor too…

A caregiver tending me, and I never know who.

It makes me think of all those fine days,

Where I loved so much, and taught in all ways…

And wonder where the cameras were, and think of the "whens"

Why couldn’t someone be watching me and learning from me THEN…

rnmom3153 · Nov 1, 2005

THAT POEM IS BEAUTIFUL, TRIAGE NURSE! WOW! HOW TRUE AND TOUCHING!:balloons: :yelclap: :flowersfo :yeah: :bowingpur :thankya:

As far as the camera....puhleeeeze!!! This wouldn't change a single thing about how I care for a patient. I do rounds not according to policy or family desires but according to my pt's needs and MY JUDGEMENT! If a pt. needs hourly rounds that's what I do...If they need 15 minute rounds then that's what I'll do or designate. It's completely individual! Sometimes I've even stayed in or right outside doing charting etc. if they need a closer eye. Of course if they're that sick they should be shipped out...but that's not the case here.

As has been said "Here's the number of a great private duty agency!!!"

That's my:twocents: :)

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2005

My, My, My how things change. I walked into work Sat only to find cameras everywhere patient areas and all. I have no idea how they have handled consent for all these folks... It makes me feel iky to know im beening watched all the time.

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!!!

HappyJaxRN · Nov 14, 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?

We had a family member tell the staff that he did that where his mother was a patient last. He was told that if hid a camera in our hospital, his mother would be discharged. Of course that's in the rooms. We have cameras all over the hospital. It makes me feel safe. But my luck, there isn't any safety because the person watching the monitors may be fast asleep. :chuckle

Jussurfin · Nov 14, 2005

But that aside..the patients...when did administrations and healthcare become so powerful that they take away a persons rights to privacy as given to us by our own Constitution?!?!?!

Contrary to what many believe, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly grant any citizen the right to privacy nor is the word 'privacy' ever mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Supreme Court has stated that several of the amendments do grant citizens the right to privacy. The most notable is The Fourth Amendment, which guarantees you a right to privacy, and the right not to have your privacy invaded by "unreasonable searches and seizures." It also protects your freedom to make certain decisions about your body and your life in private, without interference from the government.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Nov 14, 2005

we have 1-2 hour checks on anyone that requests it...and oh boy is that hard for my cna's! but they do it, bless their hearts~!
hidden cameras...i would be totally utterly against it! one, if you can't trust employees you hired...even with police background checks..then you better rethink your hiring practices!
but that aside..the patients...when did administrations and healthcare become so powerful that they take away a persons rights to privacy as given to us by our own constitution?!?!?! even a person that is in danger of falls has a right to privacy...and a camera isn't going to stop a fall typically...just make sure that if they do someone will be in there promptly to aid them...that can be done in other ways then a camera!
think about it...when you grow older and need to be helped by a facility...do you wish for cameras to be looking at you? do you feel that all that money people pay for facilities automatically takes away a persons basic rights??? do you feel that this will stop abuse or just make abusers choose another way???
i know when i am older i will not want a camera placed in my room...my life is my own and i will do what i wish in the privacy of it! what if i wanted some intimate time (either with a guest or self???), what if i wanted to grunt and squirm tolieting and feel that a camera and person is watching??? what if i want to change and won't because i fear someone is watching me??? heck..what if i wanted to play air guitar or drums...lol...i still have that right, and don't want people watching me!
it comes down to the patient...and their rights are above all...they have a right not to be abused of course, but that should lay with the facilities hiring practices and monitoring staff carefully...not invading a patients rights of privacy!

bravo !!!

i so totally agree ! and i also would feel that my rights and privacy as a nurse, aid, healthcare team member is being violated as well. i will not work where i am being watched 24/7.

i, too, have a right to privacy.. (yeh, wedgies, etc.) :chuckle if they feel i'm so untrustworthy as to have to be "watched", then they sure don't need me. i'd be outta there. :madface:

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Nov 15, 2005

Hiddens cameras are great but not in the patients room :coollook: