Re: EMS photography

["Lee Watson" <lwatson286@adelphia.net>]

1) We have used both digital and polaroid photography to document aspects of
the scene or patient. This is usually accomplished by whomever we can draft
at a scene, so that we can take care of mission # 1- the patient(s).

2) Any photos taken become part of the medical record, and as such, are
treated as protected information.

3) Generally, we try to avoid using photos for 'education' - too often, the
war story about the patient is told right along with the photo. War story +
photo = identifiable. In the past, there were specific exclusions from
'release of information' laws for the education of medical personnel
involved in an incident/care of the patient. In light of HIPPA, this may be
too risky a practice to continue.

4) For all other uses, a release must be signed by all "actors" and/or
parties represented in the photo. This includes recognizable buildings,
aircraft, vehicles, landmarks, etc - not just people. If someone "owns"
something and its in your shot, you should get a release just to CYA.  We
once almost lost a large contract with a SNF just because their facility was
visible in the remote background of a PR shot, even though we were shooting
on public land and their inclusion was unintentional.

Lee Watson
lwatson286@adelphia.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Sharpe" <dsharpe@innercite.com>
To: <flightmed@flightweb.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2002 10:16 PM
Subject: EMS photography


> i am researching an article/presentation regarding EMS photography.  Many
of
> us carry digital cameras with us when we fly, and have opportunities to
> shoot images on scene that can be very dramatic.  Obviously, we all need
to
> avoid allowing this to interfere with completing our mission, but what are
> the legal and ethical issues involved?  I'm interested in hearing from one
> and all about this issue - how do you handle this in your program?  What
is
> your understanding of EMS photography in regards to protecting patient
> privacy?  Does anyone obtain releases from victims or others in the photos
> prior to using the image?  What uses do you have for EMS photos?  Feel
free
> to reply to me directly at dsharpe@innercite.com.  Thanks for your help.
>
> Dave Sharpe
> Flight Nurse
> CALSTAR 6
> South Lake Tahoe, Ca
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Flightmed mailing list
> To unsubscribe or change your email address, go to
http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/flightmed
>


_______________________________________________
Flightmed mailing list
To unsubscribe or change your email address, go to http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/flightmed