In many cases, when a person comes into a mental health facility, their state of mind is vulnerable and they might be considering harming themselves or another. Many times, this can result in the danger of ligatures https://www.steelcell.com/what-is-ligature-resistant-and-why-is-it-important-for-detention-centers/.
Ligature risks are any points where a patient might attach a cord or rope to a bedsheet, a sheet, or another material. This could create a point to which the attachment can be made.
If one-on-1 observation cannot be carried out, what can you do when it’s not possible? For example, if the resident is in their bedroom, how should this situation be handled?
Creating Resident Rooms That Are Ligature Resistant
Residents in behavioral health care facilities receive less supervision that the general areas. Therefore it is important to provide a safe environment for residents. In order to achieve this goal, every resident room needs anti-ligature finishes and furniture.
Furniture that is ligature-resistant or anti-ligature, can be defined by the absence of any areas where materials, like ropes or cords, could potentially be used to secure or tie ligatures.
Furniture that can help prevent suicides in a resident’s room includes desks, beds, shelves, cabinets, desks and chairs.
Other ligature areas in residents’ rooms that you should avoid or replace with ligature-resistant options include pipes and radiators.
Conducting Environmental Risk Assessments
It is crucial to assess the environment risks outside of resident rooms. This will reduce the dangers associated with ligatures. As well as evaluating anchor points, and the potential for misuse to harm, you should assess other objects and replace them if necessary.
To reduce ligature risks in your facilities, it is important to assess and plan each and every space that patients may use.
Among the areas that need special attention are the electrical outlets, type of glass, type and type of door and door hardware used, nail that can be pulled out and furniture.
Also, the furnishings in common areas and residences should be closely examined to ensure safety.
Ligature Safety – Anti Ligature Products
Installation of anti-ligature equipment is essential to reducing the dangers associated with ligatures in any facility.
Anti-ligature Furniture has many design features, including eliminating any tie down points. This will increase the security of your workplace. The anti-ligature furniture has no moving parts. It also features an impenetrable material that is extremely durable.
The addition of anti-ligature furnishings can give residents an extra level of comfort and safety, while giving staff the peace of minds that their residents are not in danger.
Reduced ligature hazards in behavioral healthcare are of paramount importance. The installation of anti-ligature equipment contributes to making the facilities safer for staff as well. It is important to regularly assess all the areas in the facility to see if they are fitted with equipment that reduces ligature risk.
Max-Secure offers behavioral healthcare centers the most advanced anti-ligature products in the industry. Our beautifully designed and manufactured institutional furniture requires no maintenance and will be a valuable asset to your facility for many, many years.