HospitalInspections.org

Based on policy review, document review, observation, and interview, the Hospital failed to ensure patients were informed that behavioral health care may include the use of video surveillance for 6 (Patient 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) of 6 sampled patients. This deficient practice posed a risk of violating personal privacy rights for any patient that received services at this hospital.

Findings include:

Review of a hospital policy titled, "Behavioral Health Inpatient Video Monitoring," revised 09/30/2023, showed, " ...The patient and/or guardian will be informed that video monitoring equipment is turned on to ensure patient safety while hospitalized..."

Review of a hospital policy titled, "Patient Rights and Responsibilities," revised 09/07/21, showed, " ...[Above Named Hospital] respects, protects and promotes patient rights by: ... Respecting the patient's rights to personal privacy ..."

Review of the hospital's admission documents/forms/consents, "Behavioral Health Services Patient Acknowledgements", "Treatment Authorization and Related Agreements", "Legal Rights of Patients", "Admission as a Voluntary Patient", and "Consent to Treatment and Acknowledgment of Notice of Privacy Practices," failed to show that behavioral health care may include the use of video surveillance for patient monitoring.


Patient 1

Review of Patient 1's medical record showed a 47-year-old admitted on 11/28/24 at 1:43 AM with a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder Bipolar Type (experiences symptoms of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior) and Suicidal Ideation (thinking about or planning suicide).

Patient 2

Review of Patient 2's medical record showed a 56-year-old admitted on 11/15/24 at 12:18 PM with a diagnosis of Paranoid Schizophrenia (a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally.


Patient 3

Review of Patient 3's medical record showed a 39-year-old admitted on 10/25/24 at 3:44 PM with a diagnosis of Unspecified Mood Disorder (depressive disorder can cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning) and Unspecified Anxiety Disorder (anxiety or phobias that don't meet the exact criteria for any other anxiety disorders but are significant enough to be distressing and disruptive).

Patient 4

Review of Patient 4 medical record showed a 21-year-old admitted on 08/28/24 at 7:27 PM with a diagnosis of depression (disorder where symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness occur frequently and impair daily living).


Patient 5

Review of Patient 5's medical record showed, a 17-year-old admitted on 12/09/24 at 7:07 PM with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent episode with psychotic features (disorder where symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness occur frequently and impair daily living. Additions of psychotic features during these depressive episodes can include hallucinations, excess energy[mania], fear of others [paranoia] and/or magical or impaired thinking [delusions]). Patient had a history of several suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and auditory and visual hallucinations.
Review of hospital consent for treatment failed to show patient and/or guardian was informed of video monitoring while hospitalized.

Patient 6

Review of Patient 6's medical record showed a 15-year-old admitted on 09/30/24 at 7:15 PM with a diagnosis of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (a disorder in children that causes an inappropriate response to anger). Patient 6 had a history of suicide attempts and suicidal ideation.

Review of the medical records for Patients 1-6 failed to show documented evidence that any patient and/or patient representative was informed or acknowledged that video surveillance may be used during patient monitoring.

An observation on 12/18/24 at 1:15 PM of the Behavioral Health Adolescent/Child nursing station showed a video monitor of a live feed in all patient rooms.

During an interview on 12/18/24 at 1:15 PM, Staff W, Patient Care Technician (PCT), stated, "We video monitor in all the patient rooms at all times."

During an interview on 12/18/24 at 1:10 PM, Staff C, Director of Risk Management, confirmed that the hospital does not inform patients of possible video monitoring during their hospital stay.