Security Overrules Privacy, In Some Cases

Staff -- Consulting-Specifying Engineer, 11/1/2000

At the end of the excellent article in September's Professional Practices, "Keep It Simple: A Specifications Primer," was a sidebar titled, "Security vs. Privacy." It questioned the need for surveillance cameras in care facilities for the elderly. As a security professional for nearly 30 years, I would like to respond. In most cases, I am aware that the installation of cameras is done by private investigators who were hired by the family of the patient to investigate the possibility of neglect and even abuse of their family member.

In most cases, the evidence recorded was far more horrible than they ever suspected. Patients were left lying in their own feces for many hours at a time. When the patient complained, they were slapped around and yelled at by the staff.

What kind of message are we sending to nursing home caregivers, if we use video cameras to look over their shoulders constantly?

The message is to provide care with compassion and to stop the neglect and abuse of the patients under their care. If not, they will be open to lawsuits and even criminal prosecution.

FREDERICK D. ZAGURSKI, CPP, CDT, CPCM

Principal

Fred Zagurski Consultants