TJC notes that psychiatric patients may pass through or spend time in non-behavioral health units like emergency rooms, so ligature risks must also be addressed in those areas. “Any physical risks not required for the treatment of the patient that can be removed, must be removed,” states TJC, and patients should remain under surveillance if risks remain in the environment.
As you take steps to counter ligature risks, keep in mind this is so much more than a compliance issue. You wouldn’t see regulators emphasize ligatures if those risks hadn’t enabled tragedies in facilities like yours. Help ensure no patient harms him or herself under your watch.
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About the author:
Larry Lacombe is the vice president of program development and facilities compliance at Medxcel Facilities Management, specializing in facilities management, safety, environment of care, emergency management and compliance. Medxcel Facilities Management provides health care service support products and drives in-house capabilities, savings and efficiencies for health care organizations that, in turn, improve the overall healing environment for patients and staff. Lacombe leads the development and implementation of compliance programs that ensure 24/7 survey readiness for a national network of hospitals that Medxcel Facilities Management serves.Back to HCB News
