Accreditation

Good lighting at your hospital is probably not something you worry about, but it may be more important than you think.

Accreditation Connection, May 30, 2005

"Lighting is important in many different ways beyond letting people see well," says Helen Diemer, vice president of The Lighting Practice, Inc., a design firm in Philadelphia. Diemer offers the following four reasons why proper lighting is essential:

1. Light as a guardian

Good lighting in a hospital provides a sense of stability-a feeling that the medical center has been in the community for a while and offers good care-while also offering a warm welcome for anyone who enters it, Diemer says.

There shouldn't be a lot of dark, murky shadows. "People in hospitals tend to feel trapped and isolated as it is," says Diemer. Proper lighting design can help patients feel more secure and comfortable. Think about including the use of natural and electric light.

There is no need to go to the other extreme and wash a room in light either. "It does not have to be spread evenly. Light should be used in the places where it's needed," she says. Strive for varying levels of light, which will draw people to a particular area.

2. A clear view

Glare can create headaches for nurses, physicians, and other clinicians. These employees are constantly reading computer monitors, equipment screens, medication bottles, and patient charts, and glare can impair their ability to do so.

One way to reduce glare is to install low-watt bulbs and to balance brightness using natural daylight. Light that's reflected off a fixture offers another good solution to glare, as does using matte finishes for walls and furniture. Matte finishes refer to those free of shine or highlights.

3. Upkeep and labor

Good lighting also makes your maintenance crew's job easier, Diemer says. Consider the following actions when installing or updating your lighting system:

  • Minimize the number of lamp types you use in your hospital. This will reduce the amount of stock you have to keep for maintenance.
  • Use fluorescent lamps that offer maximum bulb life. Fluorescent lights have improved in quality over the years and bring out good colors in their surroundings, Diemer says. Be aware, though, that these lights also contain varying amounts of mercury, which is a toxic metal high on environmental hit lists.
  • Install lights where crews can reach them. The facilities department should involve itself in lighting decisions by weighing in with concerns, such as whether there are ladders tall enough to reach high lamps.

In addition, promoting the frugal use of lights can save money. Control switches can help staff better alternate light levels while avoiding energy waste. Also, look at automatic timers to shut off lights that employees often forget about, such as in those storage and utility rooms.

4. The hospital's image

From a building perspective, lights can create the first impressions of visitors as they approach the front door, sit in the lobby, or wait for an elevator.

"I think the message here is that it doesn't have to look like a hospital," Diemer says. One approach is to think of how lighting plays a role in welcoming people to the best hotel lobbies or your own living room. Those ideas can replicate themselves in hospitals, she says.

Most Popular

Related Articles