Continuous Video Monitoring: Implementation Strategies for Safe Patient Care and Identified Best Practices

BACKGROUND: Sitters are often used in the inpatient setting as a measure to ensure safety of patients with cognitive and behavioral concerns. PROBLEM: Sitters are costly, and evidence is lacking that their presence produces safer outcomes. Continuous video monitoring is a safe alternative; yet, there is a lack of best practices and implementation strategies. APPROACH: A large academic medical center in the Pacific Northwest introduced continuous video monitoring as an adjunct measure to replace sitter use when appropriate. Adoption of the technology was influenced by nurse enculturation, leader standard work (standard parameters used by nurse leaders for process improvement), data tracking management, and patient/family feedback. OUTCOMES: Continuous video monitoring is a bridge for the nursing staff to enhance safety for patients and an additional safety intervention when sitter use is not reasonable. CONCLUSION: Utilizing technology such as continuous video monitoring can relieve sitters to allow for optimal productivity, increased safety, cost reduction, and nurse/family satisfaction.