Shooting videos inside hospitals presents a unique set of challenges, from strict privacy regulations to logistical hurdles. However, with the right expertise and experience, these complexities can be navigated if you work with a team that has deep experience in healthcare environments, like we do.
Challenge 1
Patient privacy and confidentiality are of paramount consideration in any healthcare setting. Hospitals are governed by strict guidelines, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patient privacy and requires explicit consent for filming. Before cameras are even allowed in a patient room, hospital staff will rigorously want to confirm that consent has been given and a legal release has been signed.
Solution: Professional video production teams with experience in filming inside hospitals have experience navigating consent forms, confidentiality agreements, and other legal requirements to ensure that projects don’t get hung up on legal issues during filming, or later in post-production. Our ethics as a company are to share the goal of each hospital system we work with to honor the integrity and privacy of both patients and staff.
Challenge 2
Logistics can be a bear. Some hospitals are as large as a university campus, a confusing maze of tunnels and towers. Parking for crew can be an obstacle in and of itself. And moving crews around a hospital quickly is impossible, generally speaking.
Solution: Thorough scouting and advance logistical help from staff on site are essential in mapping locations in pre-production. Production teams familiar with hospitals know the right questions to ask that hospital staff may not think to offer.
Challenge 3
Security regulations are tight in hospitals and vary by organization. Access to secured areas often requires badges, multiple passkeys, administrative escorts, or private security.
Solution: We always inquire in advance about every location we intend to use. We confirm that security and administrators know in advance that a camera crew is in the building so that there are no delays at checkpoints throughout the day, even over employee shift changes.
Challenge 4
Healthcare staff can be reluctant to speak on camera, but their participation is always essential to the authenticity of the story.
Solution: We always try to have speakers identified well in advance because a participant’s willingness to appear on camera is half the battle. Though we may not provide questions before an interview, we do try to set a participant’s mind at ease by pre-communicating the purpose of our project and the part of it we want them to contribute to. We’re highly experienced directors and producers who know how to set people at ease when the cameras are turned on, and we work with care and consideration to evoke authentic and meaningful responses. We also work scrupulously to respect the time of those we interview. Typically they are stepping away from their work to help us tell our stories, so the least we can do is to repay that favor by being ready when they are scheduled and working with them as efficiently as possible.
Challenge 5
Location and schedule changes are not uncommon. Hospitals run like enormous, interdependent machines that must align and adapt continuously.
Solution: We’ve learned to pivot, improvise, and adapt on-site. And we’ve learned that overly aggressive production schedules often fall apart when working within a hospital’s rhythms and priorities. We also work hard to build relationships with hospital staff. We want to be visible and transparent about our work and the reasons we’re there. The more people who know us and understand why we are on-site, the better. Courtesy and kindness go a long way and are typically returned.
Challenge 6
Keeping it clean and safe. Whether inside a surgical suite or simply walking the floors, cleanliness and the appearance of cleanliness are essential. And navigating busy hallways with equipment carts and gear can be a hindrance to those at work.
Solution: We dress casually to do our work, but we take care to look professional and well-groomed. We scrupulously follow every protocol suggested to aid in hygiene, from simple hand sanitizing to working in scrubs and shoe covers. We’ll even cover our gear if asked. And we work to make our physical footprint as small as possible, being vigilant about not leaving gear in the way, where it could cause a trip hazard to staff or patients. It’s always our goal to minimize disruptions.
Challenge 7
Patients are always a hospital’s first priority, never a production crew. Medical staff has emergencies, as do administrators, so the best-laid plans can change without warning.
Solution: It’s all about collaboration, pre-production, and integrating with hospital operations. If one thing cancels, we are always prepared with support and the right contacts who can help us rearrange as needed. We build rapport and flex when we need to. Having spent so much time in hospitals, we never forget that their priority must also be ours.
Filming inside hospitals presents unique challenges, but they’re always worth the effort because the people who do the healing are doing important humanitarian work. Their stories are remarkable, and we never forget that it’s a privilege for us to tell them.
HealthSight Media We are award-winning producers with deep experience in television, news, and documentaries who produce high-quality videos exclusively for healthcare organizations. Our rich storytelling experience helps healthcare providers enhance patient engagement and education in today’s digital-first environment. Our deep knowledge of hospital systems, regulations, and protocols is invaluable to our clients.
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