It’s not enough to simply recognize ligature risks in health care facilities. Creating a safe environment for all requires performing an assessment, establishing a plan, and then following through.
Recent reports of patient suicide among the top three sentinel events-at a rate of 85 deaths per year-have encouraged regulators to turn a keen eye toward potential hanging or choking points. However, during a survey, facilities must demonstrate more than just awareness. Strategies must be in place; staff must be trained; and every effort must be made to adjust, replace, and repair areas of risk as needed.
Process
Tour facility identifying ligature risks
Identify any risks in current practices
Provide detailed report and risk score
Provide high-level technical consulting
Develop a Facility Assessment Report
Recommend plan of action
Reporting
EC.02.06.01, one of the most stringent standards set by The Joint Commission, applies to any setting that specifically is designated to treat psychiatric and behavioral health patients. This focus includes inpatient psychiatric units in psychiatric hospitals and general or acute hospitals, as well as any “safe room” used to treat such patients in emergency or other departments. Within these areas, ALL ligature and other self-harm risks must be identified, mitigated, and/or eliminated.
We provide you with a detailed hardcopy report of all findings including a risk score dependent on your mitigation.
