- BMHEN Agenda_121024.pdf (100.8 KB)
- Meeting Recording
- BMH-EN Drum Beat Call_121024.pdf (874.3 KB)
Additional feedback on topic of patient toilet access:
Kevin Curtis - I know its separate from the bathroom issue, but from the user side the logistics of managing shared rooms or multiuser bathrooms in a gender spectrum inclusive landscape makes the move to all single patient rooms very compelling
Eric Kern - We’ve had clients in highly acute/max security environments who have felt there was a true safety advantage due to observation in private corridor entry toilet rooms. they have also appreciated the reduction SF overall (in needing fewer) and dedicating this to more treatment space. but the dignity points are appreciated - so depends on the clients for sure.
Virginia Pankey - If a hospital system has a documented operational model where specific patient rooms have toilet rooms accessed through a corridor rather than directly from the patient room, and this is included in the clinical risk assessment, it is permissible. A safety risk assessment is required in such cases. This operational description and preference should also be documented in the functional program. The AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) may request these documents to better understand the operational model, but approval of the operational model by the AHJ is not required.
The historical context for patient toilet room access, favoring direct access from the patient room rather than through a corridor, is documented in the attached materials. Since 1984, the guidelines have specified that patient toilet rooms should be accessed through the patient room and not through a corridor. However, I do not have copies of the FGI editions published between 1984 and 2010. The 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 guidelines allow facilities to adopt an operational methodology that permits specific patient bedrooms to have toilet rooms accessed via the corridor.
To demonstrate that AHJ approval is not required for this operational methodology, I have included an example from the guidelines that explicitly requires AHJ approval in certain cases. This comparison highlights the distinction.
- Link to download PDF (large file)
Sarah Rolfvondenbaumen sent link in chat:
Related - recently listened to this podcast docuseries about the evolution of mental healthcare in Seattle: Lost Patients : NPR Probably not anything new for this group, but I thought it was interesting and well told!