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Ligature and/or Suicide Risk Reduction - Ligature-resistant Products

Does The Joint Commission recommend specific ligature-resistant products ?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

No, The Joint Commission does not recommend products. Organizations should review Recommendations for Suicide Prevention in Healthcare Settings, conduct a risk assessment of the environment, determine which products to appropriately install (based on manufacturers' instructions), and ensure that they are functioning properly.

Ligature resistant is defined as: without points where a cord, rope, bedsheet, or other fabric/material can be looped or tied to create sustainable point of attachment that may result in self-harm or loss of life.

See also FAQ Titled "Is there a height requirement in order to consider something a "ligature risk"?"

Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal
 
Manual: Behavioral Health
Chapter: National Patient Safety Goals NPSG
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: January 29, 2024 Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: December 20, 2018 This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on January 29, 2024 with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. | Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. | Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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