Patients that come to behavioral healthcare are usually in a fragile situation and might have an idea to hurt themselves or others our website. In many cases, ligatures are dangerous.
Material, such cords, bedpreads, or ropes, can be attached to the point they are looped. These materials are then strangled or can be used for hanging.
One-on-one monitoring can be helpful in reducing the risk of ligatures. But what happens if you can’t do that, such as when it is impossible to have one-on-one surveillance in bedrooms?
Create Resident-Resistant Rooms To Avoid Ligature
As resident rooms are not as closely monitored as other areas in behavioral care centers, it is vital that they are ligature-resistant. The best way to do this is by equipping each resident’s room with anti ligature furniture, finishes and furnishings.
Anti-ligature furnishings (also known as ligature-resistant furniture) are those which do not have places where cords and ropes could potentially be used as ligatures.
Installing anti-ligature furniture is a great way to make the room more comfortable for residents. Anti-ligature items include chairs, desks, nightstands, storage shelves and storage shelves.
The following items are to be avoided, or should be replaced by alternatives that will resist ligature.
Conducting Environmental Risk Assessments
To help reduce ligature threats, it’s important to perform a risk evaluation outside resident rooms. Other objects or tools which could be weaponized to cause harm should also be assessed.
Assessing every possible place where a patient can be found in an institution is crucial to developing a plan which addresses and reduces the risk of ligature.
Be extra cautious in areas such as ceilings, electrical outlets and their glass types, doors, hardware or nails.
A thorough inspection should also be done of the furniture in every resident’s bedroom and any other common areas to ensure safety.
Furnishings that Prevent Ligature
The installation of antiligature chairs will help to reduce the dangers associated with ligatures.
Anti-ligature furniture has unique features that improve safety. Most antiligature furniture does not have moving parts. Their surfaces feature a durable finish that is impenetrable to stop contraband from being hidden.
For residents, it is essential to have sofas and chairs that are anti-ligature. This will not only improve their safety, but also bring peace of mind to the staff.
Installation of anti-ligature product in mental healthcare can create a better environment for both patients and staff. It is essential to evaluate the environment on a regular basis to ensure that it has been equipped to minimize ligature risks.
Max-Secure produces anti-ligature hospital equipment. Max-Secure’s anti-ligature hospital furniture has been in use for over forty years. All of our professionally-designed furniture can be used without maintenance for decades.