Hospital Technology Needs Patient Permission
Photo: Dalila Dalprat via Pexels
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Vocabulary
breathing ˈbreðɪŋ verb
taking air in and out of your lungs
The doctor checked if the patient was breathing after the surgery.
heartbeat ˈhɑrtˌbit noun
the regular sound your heart makes as it pumps blood
The camera can check the patient's heartbeat without touching them.
right raɪt noun
something you are allowed to do or have
Patients have a right to say no to being watched by cameras.
being watched ˈbiɪŋ ˈwɑtʃt verb phrase
having someone observe or monitor you
Some patients did not know they were being watched by the hospital cameras.
wrong rɔŋ adjective
not correct or not right; bad
The hospital leader said it was wrong to use cameras without asking patients first.
rules ˈrulz noun
official instructions about what you must or cannot do
The hospital system wrote new rules in 2023 that require asking each patient before using cameras.
Article
Hospitals use cameras to watch patients. The cameras use special light. They can see if a patient is breathing. They can check the patient's heartbeat. Doctors do not need to go in the room.
Hospitals Must Ask Patients First
Ten hospitals did not ask patients before using the cameras. This is a problem. Patients have a right to say no. Some patients did not know they were being watched. A leader from the hospital system said this was wrong.
New Rules for the Cameras
The hospital system wrote new rules in 2023. Now hospitals must ask each patient. Each patient gets to choose. The cameras cannot watch everyone the same way. Leaders are checking all hospitals now.
Discussion Questions
- Why did the hospitals need to ask patients before using the cameras?
- What can the infrared cameras see without going in the patient's room?
- Do you think patients should always choose if cameras watch them?
- Why did it take so long for the hospitals to ask for permission?
- What is good and what is bad about using cameras in hospitals?
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