Recording halls in psych facility

Nurses HIPAA

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I work on an inpatient psych unit and management had decided to install cameras in our halls. They state it is for safety issues. Our patients have not consented to be recorded. The cameras are in the security office but apparently our boss can log on and see the recordings from anywhere including from home. We don't know how long the videos are saved for and what privacy measures are put in place. I feel like this has to be some kind of HIPPA violation. Anyone have any input? Thanks in advance!!

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Hallways are not considered private places and are HIPAA exempt. I actually think it's a good practice as it will cut done on Staff abuse of patients or in the face of false claims protect staff as well

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

We have cameras in the bedrooms also. Patients are informed of this and sign acknowledgement upon admission. There are pros and cons but for safety monitoring as well as replaying tapes any time an incident or allegation occurs they are priceless, imo.

Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

Nurses in Minnesota injured after patient's violent rampage - Videos - CBS News

This tape is a good example of the value of a video recording in a sentinel event.

Violent attack at Maplewood hospital prompts demand for more security | Minneapolis News

Specializes in Med-Surg.

In psych I would think cameras in the hallway would be a good thing. I assume it would benefit staff since there would be video record of incidents that happened in the hallway. If a patient assaults a nurse, or tries to manipulate/lie that a nurse wasn't in their room all night, ect...

I would think this has been cleared by someone in risk management as far as patients rights/HIPAA goes.

Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

What protected health information do you think a camera would see in the hall?

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I've never been in a hospital that didn't have security cameras in the halls. I'm not sure why the boss needs to see them from home though. From the security dept though, absolutely!!

It's not a HIPAA violation it's privacy.

In halls you do not have an expectation of privacy. Every hall in the hospital where I work is recorded for safety.

The patients do not have to consent to the recording any more than you consented for the bank recording you anytime you make an ATM withdrawal...but they do.

It has nothing to do with HIPAA because the information is not being shared.

Specializes in ER, ICU.

It also falls under the health care operations section of the HIPAA law.

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