Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Does the facility want to provide for electronic monitoring? If so, what devices will the facility use — monitoring systems, video surveillance equipment, web-based cameras, video phones, or audio devices? Will the devices be interactive or merely recording mechanisms?

•  Has the facility developed policies and procedures for electronic monitoring?
•  Has the facility developed consent agreements for the resident and the roommate?
•  Has the facility developed appropriate notices for staff and for posting in prominent locations?
•  Has the facility considered

Who will be responsible for the cost of the equipment?
Who will be responsible for the installation of the equipment?
Who will be responsible for the maintenance of the equipment?
Who will be responsible for the removal of the equipment? Some facilities may want to do the installation and charge the requestor a fee and other facilities may provide permission to the requestor to install the electronic monitoring equipment.
Who has custody of the records? If the facility has custody of the recordings they are considered to be part of the resident’s medical record and all state and federal rules and regulations pertaining to medical records apply to the recordings.
Does the state survey agency require access to tapes for review?

Tip: Check with state regulators for specific requirements regarding how an electronic monitoring device may be installed (e.g., in a fixed position only, able to rotate?)

Source: Adapted from Guidelines for Electronic Monitoring, Maryland Office of Health Care Quality.