Body cameras in hospitals: greater protection for healthcare staff?
Aggression and conflict are becoming increasingly common in healthcare, placing strain on both staff and patients. Body cameras help to de-escalate situations, create transparency and reliably document incidents.
Why body cameras are used in healthcare
In healthcare, there is a growing need for secure working environments: clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms and ambulance services are unfortunately now, in some places, stressful environments with aggression, assaults and attacks on medical professionals and nursing staff, sometimes even from visitors or relatives. Body cameras in healthcare serve as a targeted measure in this regard: they can de-escalate situations, protect staff and provide video evidence for possible prosecution.
It is worrying, but true: people who help others on a daily basis, such as medical staff, paramedics, carers and other healthcare professionals, are increasingly finding themselves under attack simply for doing the right thing.
Where does this aggressive behaviour come from?
Loss of respect for staff
73% of clinics cite this as one of the main causes.
Alcohol and medication
Condition-dependent assaults, for example because patients are under the influence of drugs or are in pain, lead to more aggressive behaviour.
Mental illness / Dementia
The behaviour of patients with mental illness or cognitive impairments can be difficult to predict.
Stress factors
Overcrowded emergency rooms, long waiting times and staff shortages act as catalysts for emotional escalation.
Quelle: Arzt & Wirtschaft, 2023, Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft, 2023
Staff shortages exacerbate the situation
The healthcare sector is struggling with acute staff shortages. Almost every hospital in Germany is unable to fill vacant nursing positions in general wards. Three-quarters of intensive care units have vacant positions (BDO/DKI, 2024). By 2049, Germany is expected to have a shortage of between 280,000 and 690,000 nursing staff (Federal Statistical Office, 2024). In addition, almost half of all doctors say they are frequently overworked. Eleven per cent report permanent exhaustion (MB-Monitor, 2024).
Teams are often understaffed and working at their limits. Every absence due to an incident affects the remaining staff twice as much: more work, more stress and more frustration. Body cameras can help defuse conflicts early on and prevent absences. This leaves more time for the actual work and distributes the workload more fairly.
De-escalation instead of continuous recording: responsible recording
Event-driven activation
The body camera is only switched on when a situation escalates (e.g. in the emergency room or when interacting with aggressive bystanders).
Transparency
A haptic, visual and acoustic signal from the body camera, as well as a clear announcement before the display is activated (if available) and recording begins, make the process easy to follow.
Earmarking
Recordings are used to preserve evidence and not for continuous monitoring (misuse is prevented by legal proceedings).
Access exclusively by authorised persons
Storage should be carried out according to defined rules with automatic deletion periods to ensure privacy.
De-escalation only by activating the display
Emergency services & paramedics: When situations escalate
Paramedics and emergency responders work under extreme pressure. Confusing locations, upset relatives and aggressive patients are part of everyday life. The Body-Cam Pro protects teams through its visible presence and promotes de-escalation before conflicts arise. In critical incidents, the camera provides legally compliant documentation. The potential for recording can create more respect for medical personnel and authorities.
Body cameras protect not only staff, but also patients.
Aggression is not always directed solely at doctors, nurses or paramedics. Often, other patients or their relatives are also affected when an incident escalates. In an emergency room, aggressive behaviour can not only put a strain on staff, but also disrupt the entire medical care process. In the worst case, it can even endanger human lives.
Advantages of body cameras for everyone involved
NetCo Body-Cam Pro: Body-Cam-Lösungen „Made in Germany"
NetCo supplies body camera solutions for the healthcare sector that are GDPR-compliant and "Made in Germany" (server location in Germany, end-to-end encryption, role-based access rights, configurable deletion periods). NetCo is the only German manufacturer in the professional sector offering a complete solution comprising hardware, software and secure storage.
Common core functions (body camera system):
Implementation in the clinic
Risk analysis
Identify hotspots (emergency room, psychiatric wards, night and weekend shifts).
Policy & Privacy
DS impact assessment, role and rights concept, and clarification of external and internal processes.
Training
Brief instruction, possibly software and de-escalation training for maximum operational success.
Rollout
Bring NetCo Body-Cam Pro, SmartHubs or ChargeHubs and accessories into the field.
Monitoring & acceptance surveys
Obtain feedback from employees and healthcare professionals for optimisation.
Improved working conditions through greater transparency, fewer incidents and clear evidence if something happens. The NetCo Body-Cam Pro ensures greater safety "at the bedside" and at the door.
Body cameras in hospitals: protecting security personnel
Body cameras contribute to greater safety, de-escalation and reliable evidence in healthcare. With the NetCo Body-Cam Pro and Pro LTE, institutions receive a solution that is GDPR-compliant, enables transparent processes and can sustainably improve working conditions in clinics and emergency services.
- Just two large buttons and haptic feedback: stress-free commissioning
- Weitwinkel bis 165°: relevanter Blickwinkel ohne „Kamerakampf"
- Red recording light & display: transparency for affected persons
- Long battery life: Ready for use throughout your entire shift without needing to recharge
- Pre-Recording: The important seconds before recording starts are saved.
- IP67 and IK06 certified: Robust and waterproof
- Quick-release fasteners: Secure hold on any clothing
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