A door top alarm system, described as ‘pivotal to personal safety strategies in mental healthcare establishments’, has been commended by a hospital Trust for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) has installed Intastop’s Door Top Alarm throughout all its adult mental health inpatient facilities at the Tickhill Road site in Doncaster, Swallownest Court in Rotherham, and at Great Oaks in North Lincolnshire, ‘to further develop and consolidate’ its patient safety strategy.
“Intastop’s Doortop Alarm eliminates the risk of suicide from door tops, but does not compromise door integrity in terms of fire safety, privacy, and functionality,” said Michael Ibemesi, Trust patient safety lead, RDaSH.
Intastop said: “The anti-ligature Door Top Alarm supports the national strategy to prevent suicide in England, and was developed as a result of concerns expressed at the Design in Mental Health Conference 2013.”
The discreetly designed, ‘tamper-proof’ system uses a sensory pad fitted to the top of standard doors. Should pressure be applied, it alerts carers and other staff via their chosen method – audible alarm, staff indicator panel, pager, computer, or visible light. The device is compatible ‘with most staff attack alarms’.
