Joint Commission clarifies ligature risk requirements

In a new blog post on it's website, The Joint Commission clarified its new ligature risk requirements regarding common patient room items and fixtures


The blog post said a recent news story that touched on The Joint Commission’s recommendations for reducing ligature risks in hospitals — as well as how they are affecting hospitals and patients — was not fully accurate. 

For instance, the blog post explained, the organization does not require the:

  • Removal of bathroom doors
  • Use of paper gowns
  • Removal of all artwork from walls
  • Removal of televisions or remote controls
  • Specific types of sheets, comforters or blankets that can or cannot be used
  • Above-door sensors/alarms

While Joint Commission does asks facilities to create their own policies on searching patient belongings. It doesn't say what items need to be searched when brought into a medical unit. 

Read the article.



January 3, 2020


Topic Area: Safety


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