Lighting and Acoustic Design of a Hospital
Introduction
Lighting design of a hospital greatly influences the health results of the patients and the employees. Raleigh orthopedic clinic has been used as a case study for the lighting deign. The opening has more than 98,000 square foot headquarters and surgery with the contemporary lighting system. It has employed the expertise from Cree Industry, which is the leading supplier of the LED lighting. This study examines lighting and acoustics of a hospital. The hospital has specific building type, requirements, and specifications.
Lighting analysis
The effects of lighting system include disturbance in sleep related post surgical complications such as boredom and length of stay in the hospital (Ampt, Harris & Maxwell 2008 29). Effects realized among the staff include high medical errors due to communication difficulties propagated by inadequate lighting. There are poor communication, increased stress and tiredness, headaches and fatigue. All these effects lead to agitation. Light exposure is thus highly significant for elevation of mood and reduced stress among patients (Ampt, Harris & Maxwell 2008 18). It is therefore necessary to consider specific lighting standards in relation to the room. For instance, neonatal nurseries and operating theaters adopt different lighting designs. For the case study, lighting was perceived to influence the perception of visitors and patients concerning the environment (Devlin &Arneill 2003 683).
The architectural design highlighted includes acuity-adaptable spaces, windows, physical layout of the wards. Different lighting systems have been applied in the reception, physical therapy and in the corridors. Cree has applied rigorous lighting with exceptional color for better patient recovery and staff assessment. In addition to this, the system has a ten-year warranty. The figure below is one of the lighting chips from Cree XT-E. It has a high voltage of white LEDs. This form of light is applied along the corridors and in the diagnostic rooms of the institution (Keeping 2012 28). The chips in this system are able to exceed operating lifetimes of 50,000 hours before their luminosity reduces to less than 70%.
The LED lights are crisp light on quiet ceilings for minimal eye straining.
Cree’s troffers lighting system in series besides provide dimming functionality. This is essential for better visibility in the clinical and the diagnostic areas. The staff is able to present additional accurate examinations and treatments (Raleigh 2015 7). The lighting system has chips from XM-L with high voltage for the corridors (Keeping 2012 29). The chips in have an operating lifetime of 50,000 hours more due to its ability to dimness.
Lighting system in the corridors is bright and in series. Cree’s CR22™ and CR24™ LED troffers are the chosen light illumination all through the buildings (Raleigh 2015 3).
Employees are able to work effectively and communicate. The CR 24TM has a lumen output of 22L 2200L, a CCT of 30K 3000K. The voltage is between 120-277 V, which can be controlled up to 50%it is ecosystem, enabled to 5%.
Examination room is well lit for clearer evaluation and diagnosis
The applied technology is True White from Cree. The LED fixtures offer exclusive combination of efficacy, continuous color temperatures, and relevant 90+ CRI (color rendering index). The effectiveness of the fixtures offers a lighter load in terms of the operating budget. Thus, there are more effective and fair than the customary fluorescent lighting solutions. The hospital is therefore assured of continuous light and energy savings.
The entire third floor of the institution is quite spacious for physical therapy. The dimming ability of the CR troffers enables the employees to create adjustments suitable for the space. For instance, higher levels of the light are essential in the therapy side where patients can employ exercise of bikes and weights. The lower levels at the other side enables the patients receive treatment while lying on the tables. At the surgery section, lighting can be adjusted for utmost illumination when treating patients. These can also be regulated to lower levels during recovery. Unlike other lighting system, Cree’s has a superior quality, quite affordable and enclosed with the dimming capability, which is applicable in the diagnostic rooms for x-rays examinations. There is no buzzing sound, which is usually experienced with other systems. There is better recession and thus, no dust can collect at the fixtures. Additionally, the spaces look brighter and cheerier.
Acoustic Analysis
This analysis majorly comprises of the sound, architectural and ceiling structure of the case study. Space is the central resource for acoustic design. In this case, space has valuably been applied for walking and majorly for exercise of the patients. Acoustic design enhances circulation patterns. This was achieved by filling in lobbies with light. The hospital had thus a friendly competitive face. In as much as the departments varied in size and services offered, efficiency and fairness defined the designs. Staff could minimally move between the spaces, effective utilization of the spaces by making some spaces for multipurpose exploits. All spaces were useful through pre-design programming (Devlin &Arneill 2003 688). Functional rooms with comparable system requirements were combined. This was possible through application of the modular concepts of layout and planning. The system is open ended for future developments.
The finishes are durable in every functional space. This ensured that the microbial surfaces are ideal for functionality. Adequate details were implemented on the doorframes, finish transactions, and casework. This application is significant for maintenance as it emphasizes indoor environment quality (Raleigh, 2015 4). Additionally, the image of every area is clear and visible. This can be marked right from the entrance, which is well recognized.
All areas complied with the minimum recommendations of the Disabilities Act. Hence, all forms of patients could access the services of the institutions. As a therapeutic institution, Raleigh Hospital is comfortable. This has been accomplished by application of familiar materials with bright and varied colors and consistencies. This was further enhanced by employment of natural light for correcting interior lighting.
Outdoor spaces such as waiting rooms are endorsed with nature scenes. Sound insulation and visual screening are found in all the consultation and examination rooms. The desks have strong illuminated colors for more conspicuousness. These materials are further necessary for the protection of the patient privacy and dignity. Patients are additionally encouraged to be independent through the clear signage, visual cues, and routes. The desks are easily accessible by all patients. Sidewalks are incorporated for uncomplicated movement. Artwork has been applied on some parts of the ceiling for homelike and intimate sensation. Mechanical doors are also incorporated for easier passage along some entrances (Ampt, Harris, P & Maxwell 2008 29).
Conclusion
Lighting and acoustic design of a hospital greatly influences the health results of the patients and the employees. Raleigh orthopedic clinic has been used as a case study for the lighting design. The institution has employed the expertise from Cree Industry, which is the leading supplier of the LED lighting. Lighting, color, space are essential in the acoustic arrangement of the institution.
References
Ampt, A, Harris, P & Maxwell, M. (2008). “The Health Impacts of the Design of Hospital Facilities on Patient Recovery and Wellbeing, and Staff Wellbeing: A Review of the Literature.” Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity. Sydney: University of New South Wales.
Devlin, A. S. & Arneill, A. B. (2003). “Health care environments and patient outcomes: A review
of the literature.” Environment and Behavior. 35(5): 665-694.
Keeping, S. Understanding the Cause of Fading in High-Brightness LEDs. 2012.
http://www.digikey.com/en/articles/techzone/2012/feb/understanding-the-cause-of-fading-in-high-brightness-leds
Raleigh Orthopedic Clinic & Surgery Center. Cree LED Lighting. 2015
http://lighting.cree.com/applications/case-studies/raleigh-orthopaedic-clinic-and-surgery-center