Taking pics of pt's injuries with permission??

[cheripa]

What is your hospitals policy about taking a picture of a patients injury even though you have their permission? Can you get fired?

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

We have to take the pictures and put them in patients chart. It helps us to see if the injury is getting better and protects us from lawsuits in the future. We just explain to the patients and family members that we want to track the progress of the injury and they never say no.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

Not allowed by my place. Would not do it anyway. Implications for opening up a can of worms way too big. Besides you would have to get their permission in writing, otherwise they could always come back and say they didn't want you to do this.

Only time to take pictures is to document size of pressure ulcers or similar wounds for chart documentation and follow up to see if wound is improving.

[NJNursing, ASN, RN]

Oour institution doesn't do it unless there's a legal reason to do such. They try to stress to the nurses about incredibly immaculate charting, however I have heard through the grapvine that photos may be coming soon in terms of pressure ulcers since those seem to be leading the way in lawsuits behind gross malpractice.

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

Only time to take pictures is to document size of pressure ulcers or similar wounds for chart documentation and follow up to see if wound is improving.

That is what I ment. We always take pictures of pressure ulcers and wounds, sometimes even rashes.

[sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN]

Some day soon, we will all have to carry PDAs with cameras, and have photos go right into the cart. Can't wait.

[sanctuary, BSN, MSN, RN]

Some day soon, we will all have to carry PDAs with cameras, and have photos go right into the chart. Can't wait.

CHART, not cart. sorry

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

In the facilities where I have worked, written permission was required.