By Zac Amos, Features Editor, ReHack
LinkedIn:Â Zachary Amos
LinkedIn:Â ReHack Magazine
Health care technology investments are often a double-edged sword. Innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and automation may be the most obvious examples, but even something as seemingly innocuous as security cameras can be complicated.
Video surveillance has many advantages but also introduces concerns that demand attention. Hospitals must consider all sides before deciding to implement closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
Benefits of Video Surveillance in Hospitals
The most obvious advantage of hospital video surveillance is its potential to improve patient and staff safety. A worrying 44% of U.S. nurses report experiencing physical violence, and 68% say they’ve dealt with verbal abuse. The presence of CCTV discourages such behavior and holds perpetrators accountable by enabling evidence of wrongdoing, which informs disciplinary action.
Real-time monitoring of video feeds can also alert staff to emergencies so they can respond before things get out of hand. Alternatively, it can detect instances of theft or support post-incident investigations. Considering the high cost and consequences of medical privilege abuse or pharmaceutical theft, those benefits are hard to overlook.
Security cameras are a helpful liability tool, too. Video evidence can protect hospitals from false claims of negligence and abuse or hold people accountable when they have committed crimes.
Potential Downsides of Video Surveillance
As advantageous as CCTV solutions can be, they introduce privacy and regulatory concerns. A 2021 case found that a security employee had spied on customers for four years through access to their cameras. The possibility of such situations raises concerns about staff and patient privacy, especially with third-party monitoring services.
Many modern cameras also feature internet connectivity or AI functionality. While these features make operating them more convenient, they also open the door to hacking, accidental data exposures and false alarms from AI hallucinations.
There are legal implications, too. Many states have laws on where businesses can and can’t record and how they must store and use video data. HIPAA and other privacy regulations may cover CCTV, too, leading to substantial fines if hospitals fail to comply.
Considerations for Implementing Video Surveillance
In most cases, the benefits of hospital video surveillance outweigh the downsides. However, that only applies if the organization addresses concerns to ensure this technology’s safe, legal rollout. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind.
Review All Applicable Regulations
The first step to implementing hospital video surveillance is to review all applicable regulatory codes. HIPAA is the most notable. Even though HIPAA does not explicitly reference video data, it covers anything that can identify patients, including CCTV recordings.
Specific regulations on security camera footage vary between states and municipalities, including what organizations can record, disclosure requirements and any security needs. When it’s unclear whether a hospital falls under a certain regulation, it’s safest to assume the law applies and ensure compliance.
Limit Data Collection
Even outside the 15 states with security camera laws, it’s best to treat video feeds as any other form of digital data. The less potentially sensitive information the business collects, the better. When there isn’t as much data, a breach is less of a concern.
In a CCTV context, this means only placing cameras where necessary for safety or liability purposes. Hallways, waiting rooms, parking lots and any area with tight access restrictions warrant recording. More private rooms may be best without them. Hospitals must also consider deleting video data after a given period, even when not required by law.
Limit Access
Hospital administration must limit the number of employees who can access video surveillance systems. These restrictions minimize privacy risks and streamline investigations if an issue arises with the cameras’ operation.
Only authorized security personnel who pass background checks and need access to cameras to perform their jobs should have access to them. Third-party security providers are another option, but hospitals must thoroughly vet these partners before letting them monitor the building.
Ensure Thorough Cybersecurity
Finally, hospitals must implement strict cybersecurity measures when installing their CCTV systems. All video data must be encrypted. Ideally, these databases will feature real-time automated monitoring, too, as 79.7% of all data breaches in health care come from hacking incidents that may slip through existing defenses, requiring quick identification and containment.
Phishing and other social engineering attacks are also prominent, so all employees with CCTV access must undergo security training. Regular assessments and penetration testing may also be necessary to ensure protection remains up to date.
Hospital Video Surveillance Is Useful but Requires Care
Overall, video surveillance is a helpful and often necessary security and liability tool for hospitals. Still, its privacy and regulatory implications demand attention. Hospitals implementing these systems must pay attention to both sides to use CCTV safely and effectively.