What's a Ligature Point?

The Joint Commission has defined ligature as: "Without points where a cord, rope, bedsheet, or other fabric/material can be looped or tied to create a sustainable point of attachment that may
result in self-harm or loss of life."

Ligature is defined as tying or binding.

Ligature-resistant products have features that prevent the attachment of ligatures in order to protect patients.

The Joint Commision. Manual: Hospitals and Clinics.

75% of suicides take place in the inpatient bathroom!

Looking for Ligature Resistant products for Justice and Correctional application?

Visit our Acorn Ligature Resistant site

WHAT IS BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE?

Behavioral Healthcare is a term that is often used interchangeably with mental health, encompassing treatment of all psychiatric illnesses and/or substance abuse.

Today, it is inclusive with all mental health issues, affecting all walks of life. The treatment and environment is moving towards new solutions for future needs and growth. Everyone working together for the safety of the patient, healthcare worker and facility.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS

According to the CDC, 48,183 were reported in 2021, the 11th leading cause of death for Americans in that year.
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Hangings are the 2nd leading method of suicide at 25.8%. Someone in the country died by suicide every 11 minutes.
https://save.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2021datapgsv1.pdf

In 2021, there were an estimated 1.70M suicide attempts. https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics

90% of people who die by suicide have a potentially treatable mental disorder at the time of their death, one that has often gone unrecognized and untreated.

SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or Text: 988

Launched on July 16th, 2022, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a Nationwide Mental Health Crisis number to change how the US approaches suicide prevention.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE DESIGN

The design of behavioral healthcare facilities should address the therapeutic and safety needs of patients and staff while meeting the applicable codes and regulations. Ligature-resistant products developed for patient rooms and bathrooms must strike the balance between providing the safest design solutions while creating a noninstitutional environment.

REGNERATIVE DESIGN

Great architectural design results not just from the art associated with the aesthetic, but how well the building supports its occupants.

What is Neoarchitecture?

Designing environments based on emotions and healing.

Color

Cool colors (blue & green) = calm and serenity
Warm colors (red & orange) = excitement and movement

Temperature

The brain is very sensitive to sudden temperature changes which can affect cognitive performance and impact emotional state.

Biophilia

There is evidence regarding the positive impact green surroundings and use of natural materials have on our health.

Scent

Natural scents encourage relaxation

Sound

The use of acoustics can aid in reducing loud noises to allow patients a relaxing, stress-free experience.

Shapes

Smooth curves are more appealing and comforting than sharp angles. (Specifically in furniture)

Lighting

Intense white light activates our brain while warm lighting reduces stress.

WHAT IS SALUTOGENISIS?

Salutogenisis is derived from 'salus' meaning health and 'genesis' meaning origin.

Salutogenic design focuses on the factors that keep us well, rather than those that make us unwell. Seeks to help people cope with or mitigate stressors.

Architects and designers apply the salutogenic model in behavioral healthcare environment by following the key concept of salutogenic design model = sense of coherence which is defined by three components:

Comprehensibility - people should be familiar with the environment they are in. Designers can use systems of wayfinding, colors, and views of nature or access to nature
Manageability - structure design with easy accessibility to facility resources and staff promotes patient autonomy, giving them a sense of independence, and can make them feel capable of making decisions concerning their health
Meaningfulness - Views of landscapes, design recreational spaces for patients such as gyms or libraries, the use of art, art murals or art installations

IMPROVING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

A universally designed environment instills calming aesthetics, which help in patient well being and the healing process.

Today's behavioral healthcare facilities are taking a special interest in designing a therapeutic healing environment. Color, space, light and shapes, all have affects on the patient.

The color most beneficial in making people feel calm and relaxed is BLUE.

GREEN is one of various colors that can be beneficial to reduce anxiety and bring about a calmer state of mind.

"You're making lives different through your designs. You're improving the quality of care and you're improving the quality of the environment. I've had a career-long aspiration to make a difference in the built environment for the people that use and live in it every day."
- https://blog.whitehallmfg.com/kimberly-mcmurray-making-a-difference-for-patients-through-design/

"Without empathy and connection, we end up where we are today. People struggling with their mental and behavioral health also face a lack of opportunity and support in their community and often lack access to care."

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The design must fit each facility's program.
The building must be designed for the unique needs of the community. It must be
designed for connection-be that between caregiver and patient, patient to patient,
and family to patient and caregiver."

- Article: Nathan Howell: Behavioral Healthcare Design for Resiliency & Connection

FLEXIBLE UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Specify fixtures and accessories that are manufactured from durable materials that promote ease of maintenance.

ADA accessible
Bariatric
Infection prevention
Aesthetically pleasing
Affordable
Retrofittable
Universally Designed
Quick install capabilities

LIGATURE POINTS IN THE STANDARD HOSPITAL BATHROOM

Curtain railings
Drains
Flush valves
Grab bars
Light or ceiling fixtures
Paper towel/toilet paper dispensers
Shower fixtures
Shower seats
Sinks
Standard or gooseneck faucets
Toilets

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

Find the Ligature Points

How many potential ligature points can be found in a typical healthcare bathroom photo?

(Some fixtures have more than one ligature point, it counts as one point)

View Answer

TESTING FOR LIGATURE RESISTANCE

Testing is performed on products by Architecture+ and presented bi-annually for OMH.

The following items are to be used to wedge and tie off from test sample:

Computer mouse with cord
Dress shoelace
Athletic shoelace
Towels
Bed Sheets
Headphones
Paperclip
Plastic knife

WHY CHOOSE BESTCARE® PRODUCTS?

We understand our industry's needs.

Whitehall's® BestCare products are designed to meet the unique application challenges faced by behavioral healthcare facilities seeking to maintain the balance between patient safety, security, and creating a non-institutional environment. All BestCare products are designed to ensure patient safety with aesthetics in mind.

"Whitehall has always taken constructive criticism to heart and paid attention to what we were saying. As a result of that, they have designed great products. The focus groups you are putting together to develop new products are important; kudos to you for putting in time and effort into that."
- Alison Leonard, AIA EDAC, Cannon Design

SAVE A LIFE, BE PROACTIVE.
SECURE YOUR FACILITY'S LIGATURE POINTS TODAY!

75%of suicides occur in the patient's bathroom,
bedroom, or closet.

UNSAFE SOLUTIONS

Protect your patients where risk is a concern

In traditional bathroom applications, ligature points are more common than you might realize. The arrows indicate dangerous ligature points in existing bathrooms, including sinks, toilets, showers, drains, grab bars, faucets, towel hooks and toilet paper dispensers.

"The Built Environment can contribute to reducing errors, fall, infections and suicide attempts"
- Joint Commission

EXPLORE BESTCARE PRODUCTS

Looking for whole room solutions? Learn more about our all-inclusive bathroom suites.
View Suites

KEY BENEFITS

Mental Health affects all

A worldwide mental health crises is growing across all demographics that are now suffering from mental health issues. PTSD has risen due to factors such as stress, isolation and COVID-19. The increase of healthcare workers having issues is growing. Teens, elderly, veterans, substance
abuse, all on the rise. Healthcare workers treat a flood of critically ill patients during pandemics. They risk their own health.

Universal Design
One room meets all requirements
BestCare products can be used in any patient room to meet all patient needs. Our products are ligature-resistant, ADA compliant, bariatricfriendly and meet aesthetic and security standards.

Learn More

Balance Between Risk, Time, and Design
Easy Retrofits in days, not weeks
BestCare® products are designed for both new construction and retrofit projects, allowing for existing healthcare facility alterations without the mess. While traditional new construction and retrofit projects may take weeks, even months to complete, our budget conscious and easy-to-install BestCare® products cut installation time and help stay within your budget.

Learn More

HOW CAN ADVANCED WATER MANAGEMENT BENEFIT YOUR FACILITY AND PATIENTS?

ACORNVAC VACUUM PLUMBING

Vacuum plumbing prevents infection and eliminates unsanitary flush plume.

AcornVac Vacuum Plumbing Systems create a new paradigm where real flexibility in use of space is possible, and making changes in existing facilities or repurposing commercial or retail space for healthcare use is feasible...without disruption!

SELF CONTAINED - waste piping is contained in wall cavities and the ceiling above eliminating issues with waste pipe routing.
RECONFIGURABLE - any fixture can be easily relocated without disruption.
CLOSED SYSTEM - completely closed waste piping network under constant negative pressure is quiet and leak-free.
NO INTERRUPTION - when renovating upper floors, there is little to no interruption to the floor below.
ENHANCED CONTROL - over fixture use and building waste. the floor below.

2024 Project List

WEST
COLORADO
Vail Behavioral Health
Summit Peak Behavioral Health
Colorado Mental Health Institute
Childrens Hospital Colorado

WASHINGTON
Western States Hospital
Aristro
DSHS Olympic Heritage

NEVADA
Nellis Air Force Base
North Vista Hospital

CALIFORNIA
UCI Hospital ICU
Stanford Hospital NICU
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health
VA West Los Angeles
Harbor UCLA Medical Childrens
Arrowhead Regional Healthcare
Be Well Irvine

ARIZONA
Acadia De Nova
Banner Health Tower

UTAH
University Of Utah NUE
Huntsman Mental Health Institute

NORTHEAST
Valley Springs Behavioral Health, Holyoke, MA
Connecticut Children's Hospital, Hartford, CT
45 Rivington - New York, NY
Southwood Acadia Behavioral Health, Pittsburgh, PA
Acadia Geisinger Behavioral Health, Danville, PA
Inova Health Behavioral Health, Louden, MD

MIDWEST
Bronson Behavioral Health Hospital - Battle Creek, MI
Carle Young Minds Institute - West Peoria, IN

SOUTHEAST
Mississippi State Hospital - Whitfield, MS
UNC Youth Behavioral - Chapel Hill, NC
Baptist Hospital - Pensacola, FL

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We cover topics ranging from the latest Joint Commission standards and guidelines, interviews with leading behavioral architects and designers, a collection of the most interesting news we found on the web that you might have missed, and just a dash of information on new product announcements. #BestCareByWhitehall

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