Ligature and/or Suicide Risk Reduction - Emergency Department - Safe Rooms (Designated Spaces)
Does every emergency department need to have a "safe room"?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
No, The Joint Commission does not mandate "safe rooms" in emergency departments. Spaces/rooms designated ONLY for the treatment of patients with behavioral health conditions within an emergency department or other area should follow the Recommendations for Suicide Prevention in Healthcare Settings for inpatient psychiatric units.
Note: TJC does not define "safe room" in its glossary, however in the context of the FAQ this moniker is used to describe a "designated space" as a room and/or area that is dedicated to the evaluation and/or treatment of patients with behavioral conditions. Designated and non-designated are the descriptors used to identify these spaces.
Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal
No, The Joint Commission does not mandate "safe rooms" in emergency departments. Spaces/rooms designated ONLY for the treatment of patients with behavioral health conditions within an emergency department or other area should follow the Recommendations for Suicide Prevention in Healthcare Settings for inpatient psychiatric units.
Note: TJC does not define "safe room" in its glossary, however in the context of the FAQ this moniker is used to describe a "designated space" as a room and/or area that is dedicated to the evaluation and/or treatment of patients with behavioral conditions. Designated and non-designated are the descriptors used to identify these spaces.
Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal
Manual:
Hospital and Hospital Clinics
Chapter:
National Patient Safety Goals NPSG
Last reviewed by Standards Interpretation: February 01, 2022
Represents the most recent date that the FAQ was reviewed (e.g. annual review).
First published date: June 27, 2018
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on January 29, 2024
with update notes of: Editorial changes only
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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