Illuminating trends for better healthcare

Connected lighting systems

The integration of light, sensors, and information technology creates intelligent systems networked to automatically monitor energy usage, track equipment and space utilization, and report maintenance issues in real time.

Light fixtures are used as the node in the mesh network and integral sensors can collect data for multiple systems, including those that monitor patient or staff location and hospital equipment such as wheelchairs or supply carts. Equipment requiring maintenance would be identified and scheduled for service at the best appropriate time. Room vacancies could also be coordinated with janitorial staff to minimize down times between patients, while sensors provide real-time occupancy status through a room reservation system.

Circadian response

Electric lighting to support circadian response would be fully programmed to change color and intensity to mimic the 24-hour daylight cycle. However, a local override would allow users to modify lighting to their current needs.

These systems are most effective in spaces without access to daylight where people spend long periods of time. It is equally important to also consider similar lighting needs for staff spaces as healthcare employees often work extended shifts and spend their entire workday indoors.

Electric light to aid in infection control

The annual cost of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) is staggering. It is estimated to be about $10 billion (with cost shifting to private payers) and $45 billion if cost shifting is included in the equation. That amounts to about $1 million per hospital per year. There is now lighting technology that can seamlessly aid in reducing the frequency of HAIs.

An overhead lighting system that provides light in the 405 nm, and appears visibly as violet to the human eye, has proven to be effective at killing gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as bacterial endospores, yeast, mold, and fungi.

It would seem an obvious application for surgical suites and patient rooms, but perhaps less obvious would be those spaces that are impossible to clean between each use or are in continuous use throughout the day such as emergency rooms, cafeterias, public restrooms, labs, offices, lobbies, or other public areas where people gather. While product types are somewhat limited at this time, manufacturers are applying the technology to a number of different lighting form factors beyond the ever-present 2x4.

WELL Building standards for healthcare

WELL is an evidence-based program that utilizes peer-reviewed scientific procedures to create healthy buildings. The new Version 2 includes 10 concepts: air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community. Connected lighting systems allow for continuous monitoring of building performance, as well as the human experience.

Light concept of WELL has been expanded to include light exposure and light education, visual lighting design, circadian lighting design, glare control, enhanced daylight access, visual balance, electric light quality, and occupant control of lighting. WELL is not yet as widely adopted as LEED, but it is gaining traction. It’s encouraging to see this much emphasis on lighting, and, over time, it is expected to add value to projects.

Smart or personalized lighting for patient rooms

Personal hand-held wireless smart devices are becoming more prevalent in patient rooms as a supplement to nurse-call bed paddles. Icons on the devices for various lighting and control options are incorporated to allow for control of color and/or intensity preferences, shade control, as well as “scenes” for different times of day or events, such as watching TV or reading.

The interfaces, when designed using simple icons that people are familiar with from phones and other devices, make the learning curve short and results in a high level of patient satisfaction.

Patient privacy

HIPAA has brought many changes to the healthcare industry from electronic medical records to single-occupant hospital rooms. The improved privacy this act has garnered has had some impact on lighting design by tailoring for a task and, in many cases, providing the opportunity for more individualized control. When in a stressful situation where many things are out of someone’s control, the simple act of dimming the lights can reduce stress and bring some calmness back into the situation.

Lighting design experts work with clients to achieve their goals. Every project is different, and every project has a budget. While keeping up-to-date with rapidly changing and interlocking technologies is important, working with the owner and design team to address specific needs is mission critical.

This story was first published in Medical Construction + Design.