24/7 Video Cameras in ICU rooms

Specialties Critical

Published

So I have a question for ya'll.

I work in a large pedi cardiac ICU. Being cards a majority of our patients are newborn-toddler however we also have a population of 20-40 year olds (those hypoplasts just keep on living now!). We are soon to be moving into a brand new, technology overloaded unit :uhoh3: One thing that every room will have is a video camera pointed directly at the patient bed. The "purpose" of the cameras is supposed to be able to go back and review events leading to an Event ie code, rapid deploy to ECMO, etc. Concern is where these camera's are just going to be another way to place blame on why something happened, aka the nurse. I see the benefits in reviewing these events to see where we can improve in our processes but something tells me it won't just be for that.

So, wondering if any other units anywhere use a system like this...what you like/dislike about it. Also how would you, the adult patient, feel being videotaped the entirety of your ICU stay whether you were an up and about "walkie talkie" or sedated post op?

I'm interested to hear your thoughts!

Unrelated question.

So, those Hypoplasts keep on livin now, huh? I am very very glad to hear it, as my best friend's 6 year old daughter is one. She does wonderfully too, and my friend has her enrolled in studies at CHOP to follow her through her life so that they can see what can help those kids live longer and longer.

So, a 40 year old with HLHS is going to your peds cardiac unit? They do not go to regular cardiac units when they grow up/ Can you share why? Is it because the adult cardiologists have never dealt with the syndrome because as we know for many years kids were not making it that long?

I hope they start to have cardiologists get used to adults living with HLHS, because I have a feeling it is going to keep happening and for much longer.

Lot's of kiddos who had cardiac surgery 20-40 years ago for a variety of defects are living longer now (TOF, HLHS/HRHS, AV canal, truncus etc). They continue to be seen at children's hospitals because people with congenital heart disease are hospitalized for VERY different reasons than adults. These patients also have hearts that look far, far from normal, most typical adult cardiologists and surgeons don't know whats what when looking at these patients ECHO's. The adult hospital right next to us has an adult congenital heart disease program, it is tied to our "Heart Institute" and when these patients need hospitalization 98% of the time they are admitted to the children's hospital and followed by both services. Most of the adults say they would rather be hospitalized in the children's hospital anyways.

They oldest hypoplast being followed at my hospital currently is 33 years old. This is not the norm but being he was operated on almost 40 years ago outcomes for these patients being operated on in the last 10 years are looking better and better.

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I do wonder what adults/parents will ask about the cameras.

I have worked with video EEG's before and haven't felt threatened or anything else by them I guess, the patients that have them though have always only been on them for a few days. I guess in my mind it also makes so much more sense to have a video on a patient that's having seizures...not as much sense on a patient that MIGHT arrest. I liked the idea of them only turning on if there is a change in vitals...of course my unit wants to see the events leading up to the change in vitals so I guess that wouldn't work well.

On the other hand there was recently a BIG safety issue with a patients family in another unit and I wonder if 24/7 video surveillance would have made the family act any differently...(though I know tha'ts not the purpose of the camera's, maybe it would have helped?)

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Specializes in NICU, Peds.

Just because I do all the "right things" at the "right times" doesn't mean I want a camera on me while I'm doing it. How can you properly establish a rapport with a patient and their family if you are being filmed doing it?

Additionally, what about a patients right to privacy, and the families right to be as normal as possible in an already stressful situation.

If a family is struggling with a very sick child, they don't need to be filmed while they cry at the childs bedside. And a child of 10 years of age doesn't need to be filmed being sponge bathed either.

Camera's should be utilised only when there IS a problem, not because there might be one somewhere, some time, for some people.

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Specializes in Cardiac ICU/SICU/MICU/Trauma ICU.

as i said previously, from what i understand MOST all cameras that are going into facilities now are not 24/7 surveillance unless the situation warrants it. think how much hard drive/tape would be needed for 24 hour footage of however many beds. it's not feasible. it is my opinion that having video in place to use WHEN needed will lead to better quality of care and more prompt care when needed along with better prioritization of a doctor's time when pulled in multiple directions. of course, this is only my opinion...

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Specializes in Oncology.

We have cameras in all of our rooms. It's closed circuit and displays at the nurse's station. It doesn't record at all, and can't be rewound. It's just for patient safety as our doors have to stay closed for our air filtration system. Again, patients know the bathroom is private, no where else is. If someone is really weirded out by it, we can cover it if they're walkie talkie and stable.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I know a large hospital where I work and this is standard practice in their ICU's. Kind of creeps you out, but I suppose it is useful especially in a rural area where they are doing remote monitoring. But it feels like big brother to me and also I wonder if the patients (children, adults) etc are bothered at being "spied" on! As a patient I wouldn't like it myself!

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Specializes in Hospice.

My question is: where is all that video stored. And if it is not stored, what's the point? If it is stored, how does it change a nurses charting? For example, we are supposed to chart hourly rounds. If I am being videotaped doing my hourly rounds, do I still need to chart it? If I do still need to chart it, what happens if the time does not match up exactly?

I am not sure how I would feel as a patient or as the nurse being videotaped. I can see the potential good that could come out of being able to go back and see what was missed, what went right, and what went wrong. I think it could be used as a great learning opportunity, or as a way to place blame.

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I have no idea how it will be stored or where. Like I said the unit is in general on a "tech" overload...I'm sure there are other places this money could be going but anyways not really sure the answer to that.

And it won't change our charting I don't think, I doubt it's going to be frequently reviewed only in situations where people want to know exactly what happened...in which case your charting should probably match up with specific events but but charting your routine stuff on a routine day I doubt will be looked at too closely.

I am also not in a rural area and the video won't be used for remote monitoring that i'm aware, we have fellows and attendings IN UNIT 24/7

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I didn't go into nursing to be an actress....

My concern is the use of these video cameras will in turn increase nurse ratios. Our biggest roles as nurses is our assessment skills and if a set of "eyes" are on the patient all the time, then the future may be seen that less nurses are present on a unit.

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I was admitted to an ICU with a camera aimed at the bed. I was told about it when I was transferred from the ED gurney to the bed. It wasn't an issue. It could be turned off for direct care or 'exposure' type concerns. It was a safety thing- nothing more. Nobody uploaded it to YouTube (was 7 years ago- so not likely :D).

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I know of a case in Texas where a mother was caught of video trying to smother her baby while he was in the hospital...of course in this case the medical team suspected abuse.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/teen-mom-convicted-trying-to-smother-baby-13648102

http://www.kxxv.com/story/12838458/waco-teen-accused-of-trying-to-suffocate-infant-son

Myself, I don't know if I would feel about being video taped while in the hospital. I'm a rather modest person. My last 2 admissions to the hospital I can say what drove me batty was that people who knocked, but didn't wait for an answer after knocking on the door. So then I was literally caught with my clothes half off yelling, "just a moment!" Or sitting on the bedside commode. If you are not my nurse, you don't need to see me naked. 'nuff said. I think I would be absolutely paranoid with a camera in the room. Of course, I am a paranoid person...or so the voices telll me

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

The only time I have ever seen a video camera was when I was a student in a progressive care unit...the patient was confused and instead of being closer to the nurse's station, they were towards the back of the unit. They employed a video camera to "help keep watch" on the patient. Confused or not I think video cameras are a huge invasion of privacy as well as a potential way to blame something on the nurse should something happen.

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