The Door Switch is an anti-ligature device that helps prevent inpatient suicides.

The Door Switch Difference

Due to the rising trend of inpatient suicide, The Joint Commission is urging behavioral health facilities to protect their doors.


2010 National Patient Safety Goals (NSPG) — Effective July 1, 2010

Goal 15: Risk Assessment

The organization identifies safety risks inherent in its patients population.

NSPG.15.01.01: Identify patients risk for suicide.

  • Identify enviromental features that may increase or decrease the risk for suicide.
  • Address the immediate safety needs and most appropriate setting for treatment of the individual served.
    • Applies to: Behavioral Health Care, Hospital (applicable to psychiatric organizations and patients being treated for emotional or behavioral disorders in general organizations)

    Location and Percent of Inpatient Suicides and Suicide Attempts

    Reported Methods and Percent for Inpatient Suicides and Suivide Attempts, December 1999-June 2006, N = 185

    Hanging Anchor Points for Inpatient Suicide and Attempted Suicide by Hanging, Devember 1999-June 2006, N=58

    Materials Used as a Noose for Inpatient Suicide and Attempted Suicide by Hanging, December 1999-June 2006, N=58

    Please click on the below links to explore this rising concern.
    Designing for Behavioral Health Facilities

    Designing for Behavioral Health Facilities

    In the article Designing for Behavioral Health Facilities authors Sine and Hunt explain the unique design requirements of behavioral more

    Recommendations for Preventing Inpatient Suicide

    Recommendations for Preventing Inpatient Suicide

    In the article Inpatient Suicides: Recommendations for Prevention published by the Joint Commission in 1998, we see the first mention more

    Safety Goals For Behavioral Health

    Safety Goals For Behavioral Health

    In the article Safety Goals for Behavioral Health, The Joint Commission explains that patients risk for suicide is a more

    Common Mistakes

    Common Mistakes

    Suicide prevention in psychiatric facilities present a unique set of problems. While no facility can be entirely safe and risk more

    JC Environment of Care

    JC Environment of Care

    In the article Reviving and Managing your Contingency Plan authors Hunt and Sine discuss the ‘built design’ of an environment more

    VA and Joint Commission

    VA and Joint Commission

    In the article Inpatient Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Veterans Affairs Hospitals The Joint Commission conducts a landmark study that more