Behavioral health design comes with its own regulations

Furniture and equipment for behavioral patients are vastly different from what is typically provided in general hospitals


Behavioral health design comes with its own regulations, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website. Furniture and equipment for behavioral patients are vastly different from what is typically provided in general hospitals.

Codes, standards and references for behavioral health facilities emphasize security over patient comfort. Also, the requirement for privacy between beds in semiprivate medical patient rooms doesn't apply to behavioral health.

The emphasis on security can lead to a prison-like environment, so many regulations have language that emphasizes that a therapeutic environment be provided that is “characterized by a feeling of openness with emphasis on natural light.” 

The NFPA 101 Life Safety Code documents include specific requirements and exceptions that only apply to behavioral health facilities. These include allowing the locking of exit doors, limiting the opening size of operable windows, locking the fire extinguisher cabinets and fire alarm pull stations, among others, the article said.

Read the article.

 

 



January 16, 2015


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Why Healthcare Facilities Management Is Critical to Patient Safety 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe.


Brookdale Senior Living Announces Acquisition of the Brookdale Galleria Community

The 244-unit independent living and assisted living community is located directly adjacent to The Galleria shopping and entertainment complex.


Erlanger Health System Falls Victim to Data Breach

Erlanger has no evidence of any improper use of the information because of this incident.


Technological Readiness: The Missing Construction Milestone

A new building can be complete by most measures but still not be technologically or operationally ready.


From Cooling Towers to Cost Savings: Hospital Seizes Power-Saving Opportunity

Case study: Arkansas hospital increases energy efficiency by diagnosing cooling tower issues and treating its entire mechanical system.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.