Ligature and/or Suicide Risk Reduction - Inpatient Psychiatric Units - Shower Curtains
What type of shower curtains are allowable in an inpatient psychiatric unit ?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
The Joint Commission will not advise or recommend any particular type of shower curtain, but shower curtains are considered a risk. The expectation is that shower curtains should be noted on an environmental risk assessment and the organization must have a mitigation plan for monitoring any high-risk patients near the curtain or area where this 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 Resources:
Suicide Prevention Portal
The Joint Commission will not advise or recommend any particular type of shower curtain, but shower curtains are considered a risk. The expectation is that shower curtains should be noted on an environmental risk assessment and the organization must have a mitigation plan for monitoring any high-risk patients near the curtain or area where this 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 Resources:
Suicide Prevention Portal
Last updated on February 22, 2021
Manual:
Critical Access Hospital
Chapter:
National Patient Safety Goals NPSG