Patient bathrooms can look more 'normal' and still be safe

By: James M. Hunt | This article was originally published in Behavioral Healthcare(Vol. 32, Issue 1).

Patient bathrooms present significant challenges in regard to design and patient safety. The Joint Commission and other authorities have identified patient bathrooms as being one of the highest risk locations for inpatient suicides in behavioral health facilities.

These challenges arise because patients are alone in these rooms for long periods of time and the design of many typical toilet accessories and plumbing fixtures may present potential hazards to patients. In other instances, however, typical residential finishes and products may be safe for use in behavioral health settings.

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