Manual: Critical Access Hospital
Chapter: National Patient Safety Goals NPSG
Topic: Ligature and/or Suicide Risk Reduction - Inpatient Psychiatric Units - Curtains on Bathroom Doors

Can curtains be used in place of a bathroom door in an inpatient psychiatric unit ?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

If curtains are used in place of a bathroom door, analysis of this risk should be noted on the environmental risk assessment, and the organization must have a mitigation plan for monitoring any high-risk patients near the curtain or area where the risk is present.

This FAQ was also published in the Perspectives® Newsletter, July 2018, Volume 38, Issue 7 - The Official Newsletter of The Joint Commission.
 
Additional Resource
Suicide Prevention Portal
Last updated on February 01, 2022 with update notes of: Review only, FAQ is current
First Published Date: June 27, 2018
Last Reviewed Date: February 01, 2022