Cameras in operating rooms?

As you know, I’ve become rather obsessed with patient safety ever since I watched bad things happen to my dying father nearly three years ago, so I wanted to pass along a petition and gauge people’s opinions. Should cameras be mandatory in operating rooms? Some people think so. There’s obviously a growing movement in the U.S. to equip police officers with body cameras, in the name of protecting police and the public alike. There just might be a parallel for surgery teams and patients.

A petition went online late last month as Causes.com, calling on legislators to require OR cameras “to reduce harm, and learn from errors.” I learned about it from John James, founder of Patient Safety America. In an e-mail, James explained, “There are many reasons to do this: educational tool, improve performance of surgeons, document skills, have an unbiased record if an adverse occurs, and reduce misstatements in medical records.”
What do you think? Vote here, and if you are so inclined, leave a comment below.