Anti Ligature LCD enclosures For Psychiatric Units.

There are many anomalies when organizations need to deploy anti ligature LCD enclosures as there are several manufacturers of so called anti ligature LCD enclosures however these are not fit for purpose.

The design of anti ligature LCD enclosures.

The best solution is is the unit that is constructed from one piece of steel that is fully welded this ensures that the integral strength of the protective housing is maximized. There are some solutions on the market that are a basic rectangular steel frame that as a bolted on tapering top section, when this is bolted to the main body a gap is created and this will enable patients to loop material around the main body and harm themselves. Also when mounting this basic enclosure to the wall only small fastenings are used and this makes the solution very vulnerable as it could be ripped off the wall easily without substantial fasteners.

All corners must be radius’s adding additional protection the people in our care, there are several solutions on the market that have razor sharp corners can you will make sure the consequences of the patient banging her head on one of the corners?

In one instance, a company is offering a Plexiglas cover for the screen and this can easily be broken and used as a weapon on staff and fellow patients!

Cooling of an anti ligature LCD enclosure.

Some anti ligature LCD enclosures on the market that are used in psychiatric units are offered with little if any internal cooling systems, as these manufactures think that because the housings are indoors cooling is not essential! However there are manufacturers out there that supply these protective housings complete with a thermostatic cooling system as standard.

The cost of anti ligature LCD TV enclosures.

When an organization is looking to deploy a quantity of protective housings in mental health units cost is obviously an issue, however the cheaper solution is not always best! And buyers should be made aware of exactly what they’re buying.

In a recent project a buyer purchased a cheaper solution there was not fit for purpose rather than an approved product with the U.S. Federal mental health department. The units were purchased and delivered four weeks later and the buyer found that within 24 hours four out of the six housings have been vandalized this was due to the main door being made from Lexan and had been ripped completely off its hinges on the door was then used to smash the flat panel TV.

The buyer then realized that the product that was purchased was not the right product for a psychiatric ward or mental health unit and then hastily purchased the approved anti ligature LCD enclosure.

Consequences of buying the wrong anti ligature LCD enclosures.

Now if this is the hospital that has purchased the wrong solution, the hospital is liable for legal action from the patients family as the psychiatric unit or mental health ward are responsible for the care of the patient.

Now if this is a third party who was supplied the hospital, the company can be sued and legal action can be taken against the buyer for purchasing the wrong product that resulted in self harm to the patient and in some instances death!

DOOH Limited is a specialist manufacturer of protective housings, who have worked extensive with the U.S. Federal mental health unit to design and manufacture approved anti ligature LCD enclosures.