Microphones and Web Cams

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

Does anyone know of any regulations regarding residents' families having webcams and microphones IN the resident room? It's a private room...but the resident wears a microphone. We suspect there is a web cam somewhere in the room but are loathe to search every nook and cranny. The woman isn't cognitively intact. There is no consent in the chart for the microphone. We all think it's a case of the family member trying to intimidate the staff. The woman has been in at least 3 other facilities. Any ideas about the regs? I tried to call the DPH but gave up after 12 rings without an answer.

Specializes in Geriatrics, WCC.

There are also laws preventing the taping of anyone without their consent. Whether it be audio or video.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

The problem has been solved with a bit of diplomatic (yeah right) talk with the family.

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Specializes in Operating Theatre and Occ. Health.
Because the work that we do doesn't always look as elegant as the families would want it to. You try transferring a 200 pound plus paraplegic who refuses a hoyer lift and make it look good!!! If the families lack trust in the staff- they should find a better place and vote with their feet. Its all a matter of trust. If they need cameras then chances are they are looking for something and I have to question that if they suspect foul play- then why do they keep their loved one in such a place!!!

Well, simple answer to that would be to invite a member of the family to come observe and/or help with the care on occasion. You have absolutely nothing to hide so why hide it?

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.

CCM To begin with I am glad you solved the problem as I wrote the best way to deal with this is to sit with the family. But we have to know that incidence like this will keep on cropping up. The best thing is to stay in good communication with the families and help them to understand that it is in our best interest to give the best possible care and we care about their loved ones as well.

Well, simple answer to that would be to invite a member of the family to come observe and/or help with the care on occasion. You have absolutely nothing to hide so why hide it?

WOW!!! My experience with family members is that they view things a little differently. That same 200 lb paraplegic on admission was calling for the bathroom and her son would not accept our explanation that the transfer was too difficult and we needed to order a wider seat for the toilet because she couldn't sit safely on the standard seat. So the son decided to "show" us how its done. He nearly killed his mother in the process. was dripping sweat from the effort, when his mothers started crying "Stop!", (and he wouldn't) I put my foot down and made him stop. The son didn't see it, he thought he was doing fine work., Turns out the mother wasn't calling for the bathroom but had a UTI and was experiencing burning urination. She hadn't been toileted for 2 years prior to admission. In half a year, she has lost some weight. worked with PT and now does sit once a day on the toilet,even though she is still incontinent.

There are families and there are families- some understand and some don't see it- no matter how hard we work and are caring and careful- they complain. With patience and time they all come to realize that we are doing good work.

BUt to invite them to help with care in order to see how unelegant our work is- would not work - I would also not want to set a precedent. Besides what makes you think that the mother wants her child to change her diapers?????

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
There are also laws preventing the taping of anyone without their consent. Whether it be audio or video.

In NY it is ok if at least one participant of a conversation is aware of the taping for it to be admissible in court.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
Besides what makes you think that the mother wants her child to change her diapers?????

No kidding! We had a family a while back and all the sons would ask how Mom's scratch on her butt was healing and then they all wanted to see it (during their individual visits). We were showing this poor ladies butt to four/five grown children daily. I'll hurt my kids if they demand this. Jeeez!

And I certainly don't want it videotaped while someone else is washing my rear end either!!!!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Unless there was written permission from her in this woman's chart I would have refused to show any of her children her buttocks. Talk about a dignity issue.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
Unless there was written permission from her in this woman's chart I would have refused to show any of her children her buttocks. Talk about a dignity issue.

I agree- only the Power of Attorney has that right. If the family persists- I would invite them for a discussion and if necessary- invite the SW

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Specializes in Operating Theatre and Occ. Health.
WOW!!! My experience with family members is that they view things a little differently. That same 200 lb paraplegic on admission was calling for the bathroom and her son would not accept our explanation that the transfer was too difficult and we needed to order a wider seat for the toilet because she couldn't sit safely on the standard seat. So the son decided to "show" us how its done. He nearly killed his mother in the process. was dripping sweat from the effort, when his mothers started crying "Stop!", (and he wouldn't) I put my foot down and made him stop. The son didn't see it, he thought he was doing fine work., Turns out the mother wasn't calling for the bathroom but had a UTI and was experiencing burning urination. She hadn't been toileted for 2 years prior to admission. In half a year, she has lost some weight. worked with PT and now does sit once a day on the toilet,even though she is still incontinent.

There are families and there are families- some understand and some don't see it- no matter how hard we work and are caring and careful- they complain. With patience and time they all come to realize that we are doing good work.

BUt to invite them to help with care in order to see how unelegant our work is- would not work - I would also not want to set a precedent. Besides what makes you think that the mother wants her child to change her diapers?????

well, that's the other end of the extreme, of course.

When I worked in recovery, we often got the 'significant other' in to be with the patient and they would, therefore, be able to observe and often assist with the care. It worked well in 98% of the cases. Those that made problems I found would respond to some honest talking and discussion. Yes, they'd sometimes vent and be argumentative but I never let that put me off.

Not to criticize you all, but I always tried to see it as a challenge rather than a problem. In the eye of the beholder and all that, y'know?

Though it goes without saying that dealing with relatives in the recovery room for 2-6 hours is somewhat different to dealing with relatives week in week out. You do have my sympathy in that.

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Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
well, that's the other end of the extreme, of course.

When I worked in recovery, we often got the 'significant other' in to be with the patient and they would, therefore, be able to observe and often assist with the care. It worked well in 98% of the cases. Those that made problems I found would respond to some honest talking and discussion. Yes, they'd sometimes vent and be argumentative but I never let that put me off.

Not to criticize you all, but I always tried to see it as a challenge rather than a problem. In the eye of the beholder and all that, y'know?

Though it goes without saying that dealing with relatives in the recovery room for 2-6 hours is somewhat different to dealing with relatives week in week out. You do have my sympathy in that.

YES dealing with relatives in LTC (this is the LTC forum isnt it?) is quite different from Recovery Room. Does ANYONE out there involved in LTC often invite the family to assist with the care? I find talking honestly and opening discussions to be helpful but frankly I don;t have the time.

Anyway- thanks for the sympathy

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Specializes in Hem/Onc, LTC, AL, Homecare, Mgmt, Psych.
ANYONE out there involved in LTC often invite the family to assist with the care?

I don't invite family to help, ever. I think most of the responses would be "that's your job." After all.... if the family wanted to do all this stuff, the resident would be at their home.

However, if a family member asks to assist me with a transfer or ADL (it has happened once or twice) I will usually let them (if the resident is ok with it) and make sure the family member is using proper back mechanics, asepsis, etc.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.
YES dealing with relatives in LTC (this is the LTC forum isnt it?) is quite different from Recovery Room. Does ANYONE out there involved in LTC often invite the family to assist with the care? I find talking honestly and opening discussions to be helpful but frankly I don;t have the time.

Anyway- thanks for the sympathy

You couldnt invite them to help with the care anyway! Talk about a liability if the family member got hurt trying to transfer a patient. Hello jury!

one of the problems with LTC anymore is that the families think they can dictate the care. how many times does a family member say "mom needs to be on ...this med or that med"? and they have no idea what they are talking about.

i recently had a family going ballistic on me because momma was on different blood pressure medicine since her recent hospitalization for a CVA. uh..yeah? momma has a feeding tube now and you just cant crush an extended release med! that family STILL thinks she should be back on her "regular medicine".

or the woman yelling at me because mother doesnt need to "be on that blood pressure medicine and i want it stopped this instant or i'll get a lawyer". well you go right ahead sweetheart...but I'm giving her that blood pressure medicine because her blood pressure is thru the roof if i dont! and that woman continued to yell and threaten to sue every single nurse and md and np that came in the room.

these are the very same types of people that will be viewing a recording of me taking care of their mom? just shoot me now.

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