Near-hanging and its management in the acute inpatient mental health setting

Being admitted to an inpatient mental health unit does not necessarily protect a patient against suicidal behavior. Given their purpose and design, these clinical areas can provide a safe environment for reducing hanging deaths. Strategies for reducing suicide by hanging in acute inpatient units should include ongoing review of the safety of the environment and the emergency management of near-hanging. After receiving a request from inpatient nursing staff to develop an education program focused on the emergency management of near-hanging, the authors undertook a review of the literature to (a) identify the evidence base within this area and (b) establish an effective means to promote safe practice with the staff. This article provides a synthesis of the literature review and its implications for nursing practice.