Ligatures: Contour discusses the risks you should be aware of

22 Jan 2020

Contour Heating discusses the importance of addressing ligature risks in mental health settings.

Architects, specifiers and ward managers should closely observe any ligature risk- no matter how big or small-when redesigning or upgrading their facility, as suicide statistics in mental health settings demonstrate that three-quarters of patients who kill themselves on a psychiatric ward do so by hanging or strangulation.

Ligature Risks: Key Examples

Even the smallest risk must be identified, and measures put in place to minimise. Some examples of risks are as follows:

Power cords on medical equipment
Call bell cords
Handrails
Doors
Doorknobs
Door hinges and hardware
Showerheads and curtains
Exposed plumbing or piping
Paper towel and soap dispensers on walls
Electrical switches
Lighting fixtures
Projections from ceilings

Managing Identified Risks

It’s extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, to completely remove ligature risks. Doing so may serve as a hindrance for employees carrying out necessary tasks, and for service users by taking away their rights of independence.

In managing risks, it is recommended that you take a ‘remove, replace, protect, or manage’ approach, as highlighted by The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Ligature Risk Reduction Policy (2019).

Remove, Replace, Protect, Manage

Remove – If the risk would leave the patients at risk, the ligature should be removed and there is no suitable alternative.

Replace – The ligature Is removed and replaced with a purposely designed similar anti-ligature piece of equipment.

Protect – Provide materials that hide the potential ligature.

Manage – There is a need to keep the risk because of the potential injury is greater than the potential of an attempted suicide, for example, grab rails within an elderly in-patient/dementia unit.

Examples Of Ligatures and Ligature Point Risks To Consider

Before we head into the examples, it’s important to understand the distinction between ligatures and ligature points.

A ligature is anything that binds or ties, such as chains, linen, clothing, cords, tubing, etc. Whereas, a ligature point is anything that could be used to attach or secure a ligature, such as shower rails, coat hooks, water pipes, door frames, etc.

Potential ligatures and ligature points and potential risk control

Bedsteads – Should be appropriate to the environment

Brackets, picture rails, ventilation grilles, ducts – Brackets: remove, box in or chase into wall
Grilles: perforations should be a maximum of 3mm in diameter

Coat hooks – Remove all hooks behind doors, in wardrobes, etc

Curtain rails – Collapsible rails and safety track

Curtain tracking – Avoid gaps in fixed tracking

Curtain wires – Avoid use of curtain wires

Doors (closers, handles, frames) – Careful consideration of design

Electrical wiring – Should be ‘chased’ into wall or fitted flush to wall

Exposed pipework – Consider height and accessibility

Hinges – Consider types of hinges and gaps between doors and frames

Light switch cords – Should not be nylon. Consider solid pull cords or infra-red automatic switches
Consider anti-ligature light switch covers

Patient’s lockers/wardrobes – Remove hanging rails

Radiators – Consider boxing in with appropriate covers

Wardrobes – Consider design (handles, internal hooks, door closing etc)

Window and window openings – Consider handles, trickle vents, hinges

Window and door weatherproof seals – Consider ligature points

Sink taps, plugs – Consider ligature points

Smoke detectors – Consider ligature points or appropriate covering

When assessing ligature risks, consider the use of the outdoor environment too. Anchor points in the garden may include windows, drainpipes, fencing, and trees.

Contour’s range of anti-ligature products are designed to help minimise the risk of self-harm and suicide in mental health settings, providing Service Users with a safe and secure environment.

Contour can be contacted at;
The Mansions
43 Broadway
Shifnal
TF11 8BB
Tel: 01952 290 498
Email: [email protected]

Visit the website

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn