ASHE alerts field to ligature risks associated with
wall-hung toilets
ASHE has been made aware that wall-hung toilets can be a ligature risk for those fixtures that serve spaces designated for suicide watch where 1-on-1 observation can’t be provided.
On certain styles of wall-hung toilets, ligatures can be tied around the back of the toilet and/or the flushing mechanisms. Although these toilets could be a risk, The Joint Commission is not citing these conditions when found and are not asking that the toilets be replaced.
When replacing toilets that serve these areas, however, health care facilities managers should be aware that not all “ligature-resistant” toilets are as such. Toilets should be considered in the overall risk assessment for these designated spaces and facilities managers should ensure the fixture configuration will not allow something to be looped around the fixture, the flushing valve does not provide a tie-off point and that it doesn’t provide a possible tie-off at the back of the fixture.
Hospitals also should be aware when purchasing and installing any new toilets in these areas that the preferred models are considered floor mounted, without any gaps or tie-off points at the back of the fixture.