A perfect eye that nothing can escape

In the 18th century, philosopher Jeremy Bentham designed the panopticon: individuals - prisoners, workers, patients - each held in separate rooms that form a ring around a central guard tower that they cannot see into, but a guard could be looking out of, observing any individual, at any time. At every moment, those held would know that they could be being watched, and would never be sure that they weren't. As a result, they would always think of themselves as being watched and would behave accordingly, without constant surveillance actually being necessary.

In the 21st century, we now have the technology to create a panopticon in any setting, without the expensive and time-consuming construction Bentham's plans required. With a camera in every bedroom, no indication when it's in use - and staff's ability to view a live feed always just two taps away, no matter where they are on the ward, thanks to tablets running our software - patients will never know whether they're being watched, but will always be aware that they might be, leading them to feel and (more importantly) act as though staff are always observing them.

So long as someone might be watching, it's working