Nurse Privacy Rights

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My hospital began posting large pictures of the patient's nurse with their first name on the door. I think that this is an invasion of my privacy. I am seeking the opinions of others. I could see putting the name on the door, but i feel that the picture is a bit much.

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I don't have any real problem with it except that most ID photos I have seen are terrible. No one wants to have to look at their own mug when it is such a bad pic.

As a family member it would be nice to know.

I personally don't see a privacy issue. You are out there in the open for all to see. What am I missing?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

a privacy issue? maybe, and maybe not. but it sure as heck feels like an intrusion. i hate having my picture taken, and i'd refuse.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

That makes two of us, Ruby............GRRRRRRRRRRRR

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Specializes in LTC, wound care.

Why put it on the door? Why not put it on a whiteboard in the patient's room, where the patient can see the name of her RN and her CNA? Then the patient knows who her nurse is and who the CNA is, and who to ask for.

What's the point of having this on the door? For family?

I'd rebel about the picture, too. It just smells funny to me.

Jane:nurse:

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

Actually, I think this is a good idea. But I for sure wouldn't want it on the door. It should be in the patient's room where the patient can see it.

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i have never heard of this before

like the others i have always seen the white board with nurses name and cna name i guess that this is a extention of this

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

That's better than what my hospital did when they were applying for Magnet Status...they had enlarged pictures of nurses' pictures placed on large flags placed all over the front of the building with the full name, title and department they worked for that was so large you can see them on the parkway. They didn't ask for the permission of these nurses and MANY of them were angry!!! Understandably so, in my opinion. I would just make time to introduce myself and show them my ID...that is all they need. And, I hate to have my picture taken, also.

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That's better than what my hospital did when they were applying for Magnet Status...they had enlarged pictures of nurses' pictures placed on large flags placed all over the front of the building with the full name, title and department they worked for that was so large you can see them on the parkway. They didn't ask for the permission of these nurses and MANY of them were angry!!! Understandably so, in my opinion. I would just make time to introduce myself and show them my ID...that is all they need. And, I hate to have my picture taken, also.

If my picture were used for publicity I would have fits. Don't you have to sign a waiver for publicity? Seems like they were using you like models.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
If my picture were used for publicity I would have fits. Don't you have to sign a waiver for publicity? Seems like they were using you like models.

My picture wasn't there, thank goodness, but they did not have the nurses sign a waiver. Disgusting people...I would have got on a ladder and ripped them off if my picture was there without my permission. :down::banghead:

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There are some pretty strict laws regarding pictures a photographer can take and privacy. http://rcfp.org/photoguide/stateindex.html however, I think when someone is employed there may be something in the contract stating the institution can use your photo. This sounds like it is the age old response to patient complaints of "I can't tell the difference between nurses and others here" instead of requiring all to buy a certain color uniform etc. I definitely wouldn't like it either however, and am sure they will eventually not look too good when mustaches/beards/glasses etc. start being drawn on them.

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My grandfather is in the hospital right now and when my mom went to visit him she said they could never tell who was who, and who was his nurse from one shift to the next. She said it was very stressful for him.

I think that color coded uniforms and giving a patient a picture of their nurse along with her name, etc, is a good idea (although admittedly I hate looking at myself). Not sure about the whole on the door thing. Just seeing this from a family member's perspective... I definitely think extreme measures of SOME form should be taken to make sure the patients know who is who. Being in the hospital is so scary as it is, yk?

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