At MemorialCare, keeping our patients safe is at the heart of everything we do. Our patients and families trust us in some of their most vulnerable moments, and that trust is protected through the everyday choices we make—big and small.

Just as practices like hand hygiene help prevent harm, safe and appropriate use of technology is another important way we protect our patients, each other and our organization. Cell phones, earbuds and other personal devices are part of everyday life—whether it’s listening to your favorite songs during a quiet moment, checking a message or snapping a quick photo with colleagues—but even brief distractions can take attention away from patient care. In clinical and RF-restricted areas, improper use of technology can also create safety risks, including potential interference with medical equipment.

All staff and physicians, please be mindful of how personal technology is used while on duty by:

  • Follow core safety practices - including proper hand hygiene protocols
  • Stay focused on patient care and avoid distractions from personal devices - including AirPods/earbuds and cell phones, while on duty
  • Comply with restrictions in patient care and RF-restricted areas
  • Do not take photos, videos or recordings or use hospital spaces for personal social media without proper authorization and consent
  • Protect patient health information in addition to confidential and proprietary information at all times. Unauthorized access, recording or sharing may result in serious privacy, legal and regulatory risk for both individuals and the organization
  • Remain alert to recording-capable devices - used by staff, patients and visitors, including cell phones, smart glasses (e.g., Meta glasses), smartwatches and other wearable technology, and address concerns if inappropriate use is observed

As technology continues to evolve, our awareness and good judgment need to evolve with it. If you see a situation that may involve unauthorized recording or inappropriate device use, please speak up, remind others of our expectations and escalate concerns to your supervisor, manager or appropriate leader. 

Please review the following policies to ensure compliance with existing best practices:

For MemorialCare policies, please visit PolicyStat.