Page 87 - Security Today, May/June 2021

computers, medical equipment and other potential ligature points that can be used for self-harm or against medical staff, all with a single rolling steel door. The doors can be finished to match the surrounding, or designer can pick a color that provides calming ambience for patients while waiting to be seen.
Constructed of steel or aluminum, some products offer impact- and tamper-resistance while meeting ASHRAE/Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) recommendations for exam rooms. The key for behavioral applications is to ensure fasteners are concealed and have no grab points or pinch points, eliminating potential points of ligature.
“This technology offers staff the flexibility to change rooms around with the functionality to treat mental and physical ailments in the same space,” said Nicole Vivalda, product manager at CornellCook- son. “And, from a training perspective, it allows students and resi- dents the opportunity to see both types of treatments for patients coming into the hospital, as well as facility enhancements that can keep people safe during behavioral health emergencies.”
The systems also offer the added safety benefit of a closure appara- tus mounted on the wall outside of the patient room. “By placing the control panel outside of the room, staff are able to operate the door without being in the space,” Vivalda said. “This provides the best level of security for both the patient and the provider.”
Budget-friendly Solutions
Though safety and security are always top of mind, the lean budgets on which many emergency departments and emergency medicine training facilities operate mean large-scale construction projects and the facility downtime associated with them are simply not possible.
The technology behind the engineering of ligature-resistant coun- ter doors extends to installation as well. Many products are designed with the flexibility to be easily retrofitted into existing spaces without the need for extensive or time-consuming renovations.
Many doors are affixed with sturdy and simple-to-install structural
tubes, which means they don’t require the backing of studs or a sup- port wall. The tubes can simply be put into place and drywall can be built around the door guides for a fast, seamless installation while emergency departments remain in operation. This also helps with existing space constraints in most emergency department rooms as doors can be added with a very narrow footprint.
Limiting Liability
Managing behavioral health risks in emergency departments and emergency medicine training facilities is tricky. Beyond the dangers to patients and staff, untrained staff and ill-equipped emergency rooms can also leave medical facilities open to potential liability risks.
Adequate training for doctors, nurses, residents and med students is part of the equation. But implementing measures like anti-ligature rolling doors offer an added safety measure that creates more secure facilities.
“These products are an easy solution to a very serious problem,” Vivalda said. “They can prevent hospitals from having to build a sep- arate wing for mental and behavioral health patients. Exam rooms can be easily transitioned back and forth with the touch of a button. It doesn’t get much easier than that.”
Securing for Future Care
Because many emergency departments and emergency medical training facilities are not built for the special requirements involved in behavioral healthcare, there is a lack of resources for treating patients in a safe and secure environment.
Facility managers can turn to door manufacturers to help with creative new ways to turn emergency care rooms into behavioral health-friendly spaces. This can also save healthcare providers money and resources while providing needed security for doctors, nurses, residents and patients.
Siva Davuluri is the vice president of marketing at CornellCookson Inc.
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