Are bras contraband?

Whispera, MSN, RN · Jan 27, 2014

I've worked in 3 different psych facilities. Bras were never restricted in any of them, unless the patient was suicidal or had a history self-mutilation. If attempts were made, that's another story, but it never happened. I've seen use of faucet aerator screens, medication cups, plastic bottle caps, plastic bottles, mini-blinds and mini-blind cords, ties from hospital gowns, and I could go on and on. I've never seen anyone use their bra to self-harm.

I think it would be a dignity-crusher to not let a woman have her bra unless there's a true reason for it.

elkpark · Jan 27, 2014

Most places I've worked over the years have not restricted bras except for underwires. I've worked places where, if women came in with only underwire bras, they would be offered their choice of either doing without the bra or allowing staff to carefully remove the underwire.

KennethAlcsRN · Jan 28, 2014

In the facility I currently work at, it is only considered contraband if the bra has an underwire. It always comes down to safety in these settings. A co-worked did show me way to cut and tie 2 disposable undergarments together to create a makeshift bra. It satisfied the client that was there at the time, so I thought it was an appropriate compromise. As for the client that did not have suicidal/homicidal intent, the bra can be taken from them or they can give it away, thus a safety issue.

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

Bras are not contraband where I am and as of right now the only time we freak about the underwire is if it pops out the side

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 28, 2014

In most of the facilities I've worked at, underwire bras were considered contraband and locked away until the patient discharged. There is one unit that I work at where underwires are allowed; however it's not a very high acuity unit--if the patient was actively suicidal, they wouldn't have been placed here. And of course, the bra would be taken away at any time should any safety concerns arise.

Umberlee · Jan 29, 2014

We only allow sports bras or non-underwire bras...we recently had a patient try to hang herself in the bathroom with a sports bra, though. Thank goodness she wasn't successful, and thank goodness there wasn't a facility-wide knee-jerk response to ban all bras or require orders to keep bras (we had that going on with eyeglasses for awhile).

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jan 29, 2014

Where I work is mainly chemical dependency but there are a LOT of psych issues & sometimes functions to help both. We don't allow under wires at all, only sports bras. I also believe anything with strings has to go as well. Just a safety precaution. I am always shocked by what one of the kids uses to try to harm themselves.

sharpeimom · Jan 29, 2014

Where I worked, sports bras were pretty much the norm. Underwires were removed. Many of the older longterm patients either simply didn't bother wearing a bra or wore an undershirt instead.

A&Ox6, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Just remember that no matter what is taken away, a truly suicidal, parasuicidal, or homicidal client will see a weapon in everything.

A plastic cup, teeth, pants, fingers, hair...

WillyNilly · Jan 30, 2014

Just remember that no matter what is taken away a truly suicidal, parasuicidal, or homicidal client will see a weapon in everything. A plastic cup, teeth, pants, fingers, hair...[/quote']
Where there is a will there is a way.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Where there is a will there is a way.

True that. For some of our most determined patients, we have to go the paper gown & finger foods only route.