Recovery spaces in hospitals play a crucial role in patient well-being. The choices that you make when planning the lighting features in these vital areas need to balance the need for a calming environment for patients to recuperate while also ensuring sufficient illumination for healthcare staff to work effectively on meeting patient needs.
When choosing lighting systems for recovery spaces, the specification of the lighting should meet the correct standards for illumination, hygiene, and maintenance. Lighting in healthcare settings requires appropriate IP rating to the space to prevent ingress and feature smooth wipe-clean surfaces for infection control. Replaceable luminaires simplify maintenance by reducing down-time, while the longer lifespan of higher quality LED lights means minimal reduction in illumination over time, maintaining.
In modern hospitals, where patients are treated for a variety of conditions, there are several different types of recovery space which all have unique lighting considerations.
Following surgery or other acute treatments, patients will be moved to a recovery room suited to their needs. This space allows further monitoring of the patient to ensure that their immediate needs are met with more intensive care before transfer to a ward.
The lighting considerations for a recovery room should be tailored to promote healing while meeting the clinical needs of the patient. Illumination should provide sufficient lighting for patient monitoring for change of condition and treatment when required while being balanced to provide a calming environment. Where possible natural light is important in such spaces, as it helps the patient to orient themselves.
Well-lit recovery rooms positively affect patient mood and set the foundation for a return to the ward.
These specialist units provide immediate post-surgery recovery for patients who have undergone anaesthesia. Patients will enter the unit from the operating theatre and may be confused or disoriented following the procedure.
In the PACU, reducing patient anxiety and confusion is a priority. Soft, calming lighting will help during the initial wake-up phase of their recovery and is more comfortable. The use of dimmable fixtures in the space allows adjustment based on patient needs while also providing care staff with the ability to raise the lighting level when required for assessment or further treatment.
Following treatment in an intensive care or critical care ward, a patient should be moved into a step-down unit to facilitate their move to a general treatment ward for recovery.
Intensive care units (ICU) are brightly lit environments that prioritise the ability of the medical staff to provide treatment and monitoring for patients who are often at low levels of consciousness. The transition to a step-down unit allows a gradual adjustment from the brightness of ICU to the ambient lighting levels of a general ward focused on recuperation.
The lighting considerations for a step-down unit include soothing the patient and reducing stress after trauma. Planning the lighting system for a step-down unit should account for the position of patients. High levels of glare are uncomfortable and should be avoided. Products such as the Whitecroft Lighting HDU fitting is designed for mounting above hospital bets and is angled by 15 degrees to provide sufficient illumination for healthcare workers while minimising discomfort.
Patient wellbeing is the priority in all areas of a hospital; however, this is particularly important following treatment. The correct lighting choices in recovery spaces can have a positive impact on how patients respond and transition from intensive or acute treatment back to a general ward.
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