Outcomes of Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice in the Implementation of Video Monitoring at an Academic Medical Center.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this project was to design and implement a program that utilizes video cameras with the goal of monitoring for and preventing unsafe patient events that can lead to poor outcomes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: The Concerns-Based Adoption Model was utilized to address users' concerns in different stages of diffusion of the new technology. Clinical nurse specialists, as part of a Constant Observation Workgroup, addressed these concerns during initial development and subsequent implementation of video monitoring on adult inpatient units. Establishing initiation criteria for video monitoring and documentation in the electronic health record was critical to success of the project.

OUTCOMES: Video monitoring was successfully implemented on 8 inpatient units. A decline in full-time employment numbers for 1:1 sitters was demonstrated with no increase in fall numbers.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical nurse specialists were successful in collaborating with interdisciplinary colleagues to support the development of a Constant Observation Program that included video monitoring. In addition, clinical nurse specialists developed documentation, policies, and procedures to support this new technology. Success was evidenced by support of and growth of the program over time.