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FYNYOGIBEAR44 Asked July 2017

What type of abuse would most likely be the reason you cannot carry your cell phone while on the unit?

MsMadge Jul 2017
Taking pictures is the most obvious form of abuse that I can think

I allow three of my personal aides to text me pictures of mom in her memory care facility but they have to do it so facility staff doesn't see

I put in writing that the facility can't take her picture but this was because I don't want her in their ads

freqflyer Jul 2017
FYNYOGIBEAR44, I do volunteer work at a large regional hospital and we are not allowed to use our cellphones while working, only during a break. A few years ago, cellphones weren't even allowed to be on in the hospital, there were signs telling visitors to turn their phones off.

Do you work in a nursing home? If yes, some cellphones could interfere with pacemakers, so I can see where Admin would require everyone to turn off their phones until they are out of the residential areas.

I am curious what do you mean by 'type of abuse"?

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jeannegibbs Jul 2017
"No personal phone calls," used to be a fairly standard work requirement in factories and offices. Even if you had a phone on your desk you were expected to use a pay phone in the lobby, on your break, to do personal business, Of course this was long before cell phones. But "don't carry a cell phone around with you" seems to me a related business rule.

If an employee has a particular need to stay reachable -- an elderly mother at home, for example -- perhaps exceptions could be made. But expecting employees to pay attention to their work does not seem unreasonable to me.

Or isn't this about employees? Are visitors asked to turn off their cell phones? What kind of "unit" is this?

Countrymouse Jul 2017
It depends what sort of unit, but usually the reason given for not allowing cellphones to be switched on is possible electronic interference with medical equipment.

Other reasons, more related to protection of residents on the unit, would be to do with identity protection and rights to privacy.

Why do you ask?

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