{"id":5514,"date":"2024-08-30T10:42:03","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T10:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/integratedcarejournal.com\/?p=5514"},"modified":"2024-08-30T10:42:03","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T10:42:03","slug":"preventing-tragedies-the-role-of-advanced-sensors-in-mental-health-units","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/integratedcarejournal.com\/preventing-tragedies-the-role-of-advanced-sensors-in-mental-health-units\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing tragedies: The role of advanced sensors in mental health units"},"content":{"rendered":"
CW: This article contains mention of suicide.<\/strong><\/p>\n A critical issue facing mental health units is the need for advanced safety measures. Indeed, mental health units face unique challenges when it comes to patient safety. One report<\/a> from the UK showed that 77 per cent of in-hospital suicides between 1999 and 2007 were by hanging. The most common anchor points were doors, hooks or handles, windows, belts, sheets or towels. The use of shoelaces, doors and windows increased over time.<\/p>\n Despite rigorous efforts to eliminate these potential ligature points, mental health units face an ongoing challenge with a crucial weak spot: the patient room door. While other fixtures and items that could be used for self-harm have been systematically removed or redesigned, doors remain an essential yet vulnerable element in the care environment.<\/p>\n