Cell phones and laptop computers have been banned from patient units within the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA.
The ban was in response to photographs taken within the hospital by a laptop computer that were posted on a social networking site, according to a statement made by Dr. Thomas Strouse, medical director of Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.
The ban prevents the use of cameras within these devices.
According to the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital’s patient and visitor guide, which was last revised in August 2006, patients were previously not allowed to have cameras within the hospital.
Cameras are not allowed inside hospitals in order to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy, according to the patient and visitor guide published by the hospital.
The ban of cell phones and laptops further addresses the use of cameras within the hospital.
Patients will still be able to communicate with friends and family by using the telephones within the hospital.
Roxanne Moster, director of UCLA Health Sciences media relations, said the ban was enacted in an effort to protect patient privacy.
“Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital takes patient privacy very seriously, and we do all that we can to protect patient privacy,” Moster said.
“As a result the Resnick Hospital administration decided to ban the use of cell phones and laptop computers by patients that are hospitalized within Resnick,” he added.
Moster also cited compliance to California patient rights laws as an additional reason for the ban.
“This was initiated as part of UCLA Health Systems’ ongoing effort to enhance patient privacy and confidentiality in compliance with California patient rights laws,” Moster said.
Strouse was concerned with patients not giving consent to be photographed, as well as patients not being able to give informed consent.
“I was concerned about the potential covert use of such cameras without the consent of those being photographed or under circumstances where someone’s agreement to be photographed might not be well-reasoned or fully competent,” Strouse said in a statement.