Are Cameras a Good Idea in Your Facility?
Weigh these video surveillance pros and cons.
Consider these pros and cons as you grapple with the problem of hidden cameras and other video monitoring in your nursing home:
Possible Effect — Pro Possible Effect — Con
Complaints • Substantiation for complaints • Video image may not tell
• Protection against false allegations the whole story
Litigation • Evidence in civil or criminal proceeding in
• Evidence may vindicate caregiver in false
• Discourage false allegations
Family perspective • Families are be able to monitor • Possible invasion of resident’s privacy
Staff perspective • Discourage potential abusers • Difficulty recruiting because of surveillance,
Sources: Attorneys Joseph Bianculli and Barbara Stegun Phair.
bona fide cases of abuse • Potential for increased lawsuits
allegation case
their loved one’s care
feeling of “being watched”
• Attention to deterring abuse may appeal
to compassionate caregivers
