Introduction to Physical Plant Guidelines

May 12, 2009

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a selection of materials, fixtures, and hardware that OMH has reviewed and supports for use within psychiatric inpatient units in order to further the agency's goal of reducing the risk of harm to individuals in inpatient settings. Utilization of any of these products is not mandatory. OMH would be pleased to evaluate other products identified by hospitals.

Many of the items in this document represent the current state of the art. It is anticipated that additional or more effective products will continue to be developed. OMH intends to periodically update these guidelines to keep current with these changes, but the hospital also has an obligation to continue to review products that will assist in this goal.

Items selected represent the styles and properties of products that help reduce patient risk on a unit. By providing these guidelines, OMH is not intending to endorse or promote a particular product or manufacturer, nor is OMH guaranteeing the performance of any product. It remains the responsibility of the hospital to assess safety needs within its particular environment and for its particular population and to determine the materials, fixtures and hardware that are most appropriate. It is also the hospital's responsibility to ensure that the selected equipment is installed safely, operates effectively and is maintained properly.

Nothing in these guidelines is intended to suggest that installation of these or any other products will eliminate all risks.

OMH supports a multi-directed approach to the reduction of patient harm on inpatient psychiatric inpatient units, including the following:

1. Completion of patient risk assessments.
2. Completion of physical plant risk assessments.
3. Ongoing staff training to ensure their awareness of potential risks on the unit.
4. Installation of products in patient bathrooms and bedrooms that reduce risks.
5. Routine inspections of psychiatric units to ensure safety levels are maintained.

If you have general questions, comments or recommendations regarding these guidelines, you should contact OMH.