Surveillance cameras in pedi patient's home?

caliotter3 · Jun 5, 2012

When a case where I worked decided to do this, I left. I refuse to work under those circumstances. The agency said it is their stance that the clients can do what they please, in their own home, announced or not, and the employee can choose whether or not they care to work there. I have never had an agency employer back up their employees in this matter. They simply find caregivers that do not care. Remarks by the mother that made this announcement points out one good reason not to work in this type of atmosphere. She said that she and her husband would be reviewing the tapes actively looking for reasons to bring allegations. I can just see them in their lawyer's office, rewinding their tapes over and over. Not what I signed up for. I am certain they will find someone else happy to perform for the cameras, but that person is not me.

PediLove2147, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

The family I worked for had a cameras in the bedroom and in the nurses room. I was told by the other nurses that they are aimed at the bed and the O2 monitor. She also didn't know if they were even on, I never asked. I was always careful when in front of the camera but never did I worry about it. I was there for a year and never once was I spoken to about anything "seen" on the cameras.

If you are uncomfortable with it though, leave. No reason to stress every time you work.

lovelane78 · Jun 6, 2012

Nope...the cameras are filming two entire rooms. It just is an invasion of privacy.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

Lots of parents have "Nanny cams" to watch over their young children's caregivers...some daycares even have them. I am wondering why this is an issue for nursing? I can see in caliotter's example, where the parent specifically said they will be reviewing tapes to find fault, I would have a problem with that and would probably leave the case as well. But in the OP it sounds like they are just having this feature added to their new upgraded security system...I don't see a big deal? Maybe it's just me. I work in a school and there are cameras everywhere (not in my office because of privacy, but in the main office which you walk through to get to mine, and all over the rest of campus.)

PediLove2147, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

Nope...the cameras are filming two entire rooms. It just is an invasion of privacy.

I was describing the set up at my particular case. I assumed they were filming the whole room in your case. You asked if I was bothered by this, I am not. These people are letting random strangers into their home day in and day out. I would probably get security too!

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

Nope...the cameras are filming two entire rooms. It just is an invasion of privacy.

If they were taping you in the bathroom there is the assumption of privacy, then yes it's an invasion of privacy.

But you are in their home caring for their child. Who's privacy are the invading? It a security measure for sure and I can see why that makes you feel bad like they don't trust you any longer....but I am sure they have their reasons. I took care of a little girl for years on a vent.....they had nanny cams. I never though it was a big deal.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 6, 2012

It wouldn't bother me...if they want to look at me picking my hell-o then so be it. I have always worked at places that have had cameras installed everywhere but the bathrooms. Med room, hallways, patient rooms, etc... I'm surprised that you've never worked in a place that had cameras. What about clinical...didn't any of the hospitals you practiced in have cameras?

When I teach I tell my students to work like you're being filmed because it is most likely you will work somewhere with cameras installed. I try to instill the concept that if you don't have anything to hide what does it matter because they're going to do it anyway.

I started seeing cameras being the thing about 15 years ago. At first you're outraged "They can't film me!" Yes: they can. How can "you" have an invasion of privacy? You would therefore have to have an expectation of privacy...you're at work and in their home...what's private about that? Privacy (in this case) is related to anonymity...a wish to remain unnoticed...

I would have cameras in my house as well if I had the same situation. I don't know if I would take the time to look at the results unless there was an incident that needed investigating.

ventmommy · Jun 7, 2012

There should not be an expectation of privacy when you are in someone's home except in the bathroom.

I did not have cameras but there were times I wish I had.

We let total strangers into our home. They are allegedly screened by the agency but we all know that some nurses are not really "known" to the agency as they were just hired off the street. And I think we have all seen plenty of posts by nurses here with "I got arrested for....., will it matter?" If nurses are willing to conceal past and present behavior from their employers, why would a family believe that every nurse would be honest with them?

I think every parent understands that even the best nurses get wedgies that need picking and itches that need scratching.

umcRN, BSN, RN · Jun 12, 2012

I don't work private duty but in my pcicu we have 24/7 cameras above every patient bed. They are used so codes and other serious safety events can go back and be reviewed and see if procedures (like rapid ecmo deploying) need adjusting. At first people were freaked out and upset by it, now we don't even realize it's there. Initially nurses were very afraid though of doctors using the cameras to "point fingers" at something the nurse did wrong. This hasn't been an issue of yet that I know of

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 19, 2012

It's not an invasion of privacy because as others have said, you're not a situation where privacy is expected (e.g., bathroom or changing room). In addition, they did tell you about the cameras being there...though to be honest, they shouldn't have to because your standard of care should be the same whether or not you are being filmed.

I agree with another poster--perhaps you're taking it as a trust issue ("they must not trust us anymore!") when it may very well not be. It could be a security issue, they could have friends who had a bad experience and they're a bit paranoid, it could be they just want to see their child more when they're away from home....or yes, it could be a trust issue with you/the other nurse, or they could be like the ones that caliotter described and are actively looking for a cash cow to take to court.

However the parents are within their legal rights to install cameras in their own home...so it comes down to whether you are comfortable working there. If you are not, there's nothing wrong with that...but remember that it's on you to find a new job, not to expect the parents to remove the cameras.

Best of luck.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jun 19, 2012

I have no objection to cameras in the home, unless it is a situation like Caliotter posted that the parents verbalize that the purpose of the video cameras is to take the tapes to their attorney to copiously reveiw the videos for errors, misbehaviors, etc to file claims. Even innocent actions can be misconstrued if the angle is right. But cameras so the parents can see their own child when they are not at home--unless they are in the bathroom where there is an expectation of privacy are a non issue for me. After all, we are guests in their home.

I prefer to go through life not assuming the worst in everyone until given valid evidence to the contrary. This has served me well.