Increasing studies have indicated the effects of lighting on human well-being. Lighting design in healthcare facilities thus become even more critical to enhance patents’ condition and provide staffs suitable working environment.

Based on the understanding and its expertise in lighting, Osram indicated that lighting design techniques play an influential role in the overall patient experience and healing process. The company thus introduced five trends in lighting design for healthcare facilities.

(Image: Osram)

Flexibility a Must
Flexibility is identify as an indispensable feature for lighting in healthcare facilities since new medical technologies and patients’ needs change in a fast path. These advancements and changes impact the design of healthcare facilities.

To support staff’s changing needs, spaces must be adaptable. A flexible lighting system is thus critical in supporting adaptable spaces. As space usage changes or is reconfigured, a flexible lighting system can be reprogrammed to suit the illumination needs of the new space.

Design for Staff Efficiency
Ensuring spaces are well-lit for tasks can improve staff productivity. Performing different functions in different areas require different lighting, patient rooms require lighting that can be lowered, where nursing stations or labs need brighter lights and task lights over workstations. Personalized lighting allows staff to adjust the brightness depending on the task and time of day.

Bring the Outdoors In
Biophilic interior design elements are based on the concept of bringing the outdoors inside to help boost the mood of patients and staff.

Natural light has been linked to improved sleep and mood. So, embracing natural light with large windows or curtain walls in healthcare settings is advantageous. Natural light can be further leveraged by using the daylight harvesting feature in lighting control systems. This lighting control measures the amount of natural light in a space using light sensors, then dims or switches off artificial light levels when enough ambient light is present.

Patients often encounter sleep problems in hospitals and nursing facilities. A tunable white solution in lighting can help maintain a patient’s or resident’s natural biological clock and sleep/awake cycle. By mimicking nature’s circadian rhythm, a tunable white solution can help maintain a patient’s or resident’s natural biological clock and sleep and wake cycle.

Reduce Noise
Excessive noise can have adverse effects on staff and patients. Although designers can’t eliminate activity or noise entirely, the facility’s layout and materials used can help. Design techniques such as using solid walls and doors between patient beds rather that curtains can help reduce noise.

Reduced light levels support noise reduction by creating a quieter atmosphere. For example, after visiting hours, light levels in corridors can be lowered using time scheduling in lighting control systems to create a quieter atmosphere that helps patients relax and sleep.

Elevate Retail Space
Gift shops have long been the quick stop before visiting a patient in the hospital. Now some healthcare settings are upgrading their retail options to include spas, boutiques and high-end gift shops. These retail therapy options can be a welcome distraction for families and patients as well as a convenience to staff who work long hours.

Healthcare organizations are including a wide range of retail stores that offer health and wellness items such education materials, healthy cookbooks, athletic apparel and even medical equipment. Others target specific demographics such as oncology patients, where staff are available to help fit patients with wigs or prosthetics.

Advanced lighting systems showcase products in the best light to improve sales while providing a welcoming atmosphere for patients and their families.

(Original article: 5 Lighting Design Strategy Trends in Healthcare Facilities)