Self Closing Doors in Psych Units

What are the requirements for self closing doors in psych units? In fact, the requirements differ depending upon the type of room and ligature resistance.

Are Group Rooms and Day Rooms Required to Have Self Closing Doors in Psych Units?

The group rooms, day rooms, and other non-locked group spaces that are not ligature resistant require self-closing and self-locking doors. In addition, a staff member must be in the room when a patient is in the room.  

But, if you have a ligature resistant day room with no identified safety or self-harm risks, that room does not need to have a self-closing, self-locking door. 

Are Offices Required to Have Self Closing Doors in Psych Units?

If you have an office that is always locked and closed unless a staff member is in the room, then that door does not need to be self-closing and self-locking and that office does need to be ligature resistant.  

This Q and A from a 2018 Joint Commission Executive Briefing, provides further clarification.

Question: Do the offices, activity, interview, and group rooms in the inpatient psych unit need to be ligature resistant?  

Answer: NO, if:

• Self-locking and self-closing doors are installed and functioning
• Patients are under direct observation if they are in the room

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