You Didn’t Know I Was Recording You?

AI-powered wearable recording devices are creating new opportunities for EMS agencies to improve patient care documentation, reduce administrative workload, and allow clinicians to focus more attention on the patient. From smart glasses and body-worn cameras to ambient AI scribes and wearable recorders, these technologies can streamline EMS documentation—but they also introduce important questions surrounding HIPAA, patient privacy, recording consent, protected health information (PHI), and data security.

As wearable AI technology becomes more common in emergency medical services, EMS leaders must understand the legal and operational risks that come with recording patient encounters. This JEMS article explores current EMS recording laws, state consent requirements, employee monitoring considerations, and practical steps agencies can take when developing policies for AI recording devices, including vendor vetting, patient disclosure, data retention, and staff training.