Are the recommendations the same for open and/or unlocked psychiatric units ?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

The recommendations for a ligature-resistant environment for inpatient psychiatric units (in both a psychiatric hospital and a general acute care hospital) apply to closed or secure/locked psychiatric units in which entrance to and exit from the unit are controlled by unit staff and a patient could not independently leave the unit without supervision. The recommendations would not apply to an open or unlocked psychiatric unit in which patients are able to enter and exit of their own accord.

This FAQ was also published in the Perspectives® Newsletter, July 2018, Volume 38, Issue 7 - The Official Newsletter of The Joint Commission.