"Hidden" cameras on the floor--do you have them??

Nurses General Nursing

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After a few years of being undermanaged on our floor (we went through 7+ managers in ten years so issues were never followed up on) we recently got a new manager who seems to want to stay a while. A TON of people have been fired lately (7 in a matter of six months or so--lots of narc issues). You know those people who are at work every day and you just think "HOW do they still have a job?". It was all those people, LOL.

So one of the docs let it slip the other day that they were called in to review security tapes regarding a fired employee. NO ONE had any clue we had cameras on the floor. Then one of our nurses neighbors came over and asked "so are you one of the new floors with cameras?". Appearantly this neighbor knows someone in maintenance who said they were installing them on certain floors and "big brother is watching".

CREEPY! It felt really awkward the rest of the night. Do you know how many wedgies I have secretly picked at the desk? :lol2:

Is that a common thing? Do you have them?

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

We didn't in our med/supply room because it was also a procedure room. I have no idea about our unit. It was a secured unit. But I know they are all over the hospital.

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I once worked on a horrible floor where all pt rooms had cameras that showed the pt's bed and immediate area; the pts were informed on admission, but did not have a choice re. camera use. A tech monitored the screens, but they were clearly visible from the nurses' station and sometimes showed pts as they were being bathed, cleaned up, etc. (they could not be turned off except by the mgr, and rarely were!)

I hated that floor and did not stay long; the cameras were what bothered me most, to be honest. To think that each and every interaction with your pt is being monitored... never mind the privacy/dignity issues!

I understand the need for cameras in hospitals and have no problem with it. But in pt rooms - except in certain circumstances, with privacy/dignity options (turn it off during baths etc) is is just plain wrong!!!

DeLana

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My hospital is poor and cannot afford something like that.

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Specializes in n/a.

Ahh... missed the "hidden" part. As far as I know, we don't have hidden cameras. Although I'm not sure what the point would be considering we have so many in plain sight. I don't think I would have a problem with it. I've worked in a lot of places with hidden cameras (lots of retail, etc), so I'm used to it.

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Specializes in Medical.

We've got non-hidden cameras at entrances and in hallways, and two in a patient room used for video/EEG monitoring for seizure typing (there's a warning sign on the door).

Although the use of hidden cameras has occured to me, I'm not sure how they could be installed unnoticed given we're acute care and staff are always there. That said, I do try always to act as though I'm being filmed - confident the bathrooms are off limits!

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

likewise, we have them in a few rooms on our unit. Nobody ever really noticed them, until one day when there were a bunch of signs saying, you are on CC television that is being monitored at the nursing station. We keep an eye on some confused patients that way, but not the norm. must have been a legal thing. The rest of the hospital has CC tv for hallways, elevators, stairwells, etc. just expected. I'd rather be safe than worry bout if they see me adjusting my butt!

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In the bathroom? I doubt that.

Yes, probably most places wouldn't go that far... but sometimes people don't think anyone will know, so, I'd say it's done quite often. These things are not easily seen.

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Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

In my new facility there are cameras by the elevators and at the Pyxis. Also the parking lot because it is in a terrible neighborhood.

In my state at least, it is perfectly legal to put hidden cameras up and not tell staff. They caught CNAs and nurses in nursing homes being neglectful. They have to have the family or resident's permission.

http://www.ag.ny.gov/media_center/2010/mar/mar31a_10.html

It is illegal to have a camera in a place where privacy is "expected" such as a locker room or bathroom.

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