Memphis, TN -- (SBWire) -- 10/20/2014 --Are there legal implications associated with using hidden cameras to spy on probable cases of abuse in nursing homes? Would capturing a nursing home abuse outweigh privacy concerns of residents and employees of nursing homes?
As can be remembered, on February of this year, Maryland legislature held hearings on a bill that would give rights to nursing home residents to install video cameras in their rooms for detection and prevention of nursing home abuse. A number of supporters such as Maryland delegate Susan Hecht expressed their favor of the said bill which is called the “Grannybill”.
The Root Cause
Based on the statistics released by the federal government, there are more than one out of four nursing homes which are threatening the health of their patients because of their substandard care. With approximately 1.6 million people residing in about 17,000 nursing homes all over the US, it’s alarming to note the high percentage of those who are experiencing nursing home abuse.
The Bill
The bill obliged nursing homes to allow such kind of monitoring if the resident requests for it and it should never the a cause of non-admittance. The bill also proposes rules to protect the privacy of third parties like shared rooms where other residents must also be sought for permission. There should also be warning signs for the visitors informing them that the room is under video surveillance. In the said bill, it is the residents or the families of the residents who would shoulder the costs of the installation of the equipment.
Protests
It is expected for the nursing home industry to object to the said bill. Apart from privacy concerns, spokespersons of the said industry fear that this proposal would lessen the number of people who are seeking nursing home jobs. According to the President of the American Health Care Association Dr. Charles Roadman, video cameras and surveillance activities imperil the trust between caregivers and patients. According to Dr. Roadman, "Placing a camera in a room is often the action of someone looking to sue," he said in a statement issued last year. "Moving a patient to a safe location or taking other immediate steps is the reaction of someone who cares. Cameras can also have the effect of unduly disrupting a positive, trusting relationship between a patient and caregivers and can interfere with their therapeutic relationship as well. It is important to understand that in a nursing home a great deal of intimate care takes place at the patient's bedside."
Whose Side Will Win?
The main stand of those who are pro-Grannycam bill is that if there is no abuse, there is no point for these nursing homes to fear the bill. However, critics of the said proposal remain firm in their stand that surveillance cameras in nursing homes would only make it more difficult for the industry to encourage competent people to work in such demanding and low-earning work environment.
Kentucky Nursing Home Justice gives great insights about this issue about using spy cameras to prevent incidents of nursing home abuse. Don’t fear to seek help from them if there is any relative or friend who is potentially experiencing the same kind of abuse in nursing homes. Anyone who is knowledgeable about any incident of nursing home abuse in Kentucky knows who to contact in this critical condition.
About Kentucky Nursing Home Justice
Kentucky Nursing Home Justice is a team ready and willing to help people achieve justice in Kentucky. Their team includes attorneys licensed in a number of states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Virginia. Members of their team have represented clients in states across the country, from California to New Hampshire, and from Michigan to Florida, with places in between. They have assisted in obtaining relief for persons across the country, with members of their team assisting in obtaining multiple trial verdicts of One Million Dollars or more. They regularly try lawsuits – they work long hours. They welcome the chance to try and help any person in need of legal assistance.
